Chemical reaction

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for reacting on matter with shock waves which are directed through or against said matter. In a preferred form, the shock waves are generated intermittently for an extended period of time, during which time the work is subjected to the high temperatures and pressures of the shock waves. Both chemical and physical changes may be effected in the material reacted on by the shock waves. 
     Where a plurality of shock waves are directed against the same matter to progressively change same, the apparatus includes means for amplifying the shock waves to increase the intensity of the individual waves and enhance or improve the reactive effects. 
     Both chemical and physical changes in matter are effected by means of the shock waves which may be generated intermittently by one or more means including the discharge of intense sparks in a fluid medium which comprises or is disposed coupled to the material to be worked by the shock waves, the direction of intense pulses of laser light or electron beam energy into the fluid or solid medium to be worked or coupled thereto and, in certain instances, the intermittent compression of a fluid by means of a piston or other device. 
     The matter to be reacted on may be disposed within the column or chamber in which the shock waves are generated or in direct alignment with the end of such a column or chamber. 
     In a particular form of the invention, a plurality of shock waves are simultaneously generated and directed against matter which is compressed by the shock waves as they advance toward each other.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 93,779 filed Nov. 30,1970, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,207,154, for Wave Generating Apparatus as acontinuation-in-part of Ser. No. 668,561 filed June 27, 1957, nowabandoned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to wave generating apparatus and methods forreacting on matter by means of intense shock waves, which may begenerated in gaseous or liquid media comprising the matter to be reactedon or comprising a wave conducting medium which is coupled to thesurface of a liquid or solid material or contains matter to which energyis to be transferred by means of shock waves.

The conventional so-called shock tunnel or shock tube provides means forthe generation of a single shock wave therein which shock wave isgenerally directed along the tunnel against a model, with the resultsobserved by means of photography for analyzing the aerodynamic effectsof the model. Such a shock tube is an elongated metal duct divided by adiaphragm into low and high pressure regions wherein a driver gas,usually helium, is released suddenly from the high pressure region bypuncturing the diaphragm, resulting in the development of a shock waveas the gas enters a low pressure region. Large shock tubes have beendeveloped in which shock waves have been generated in the working or lowpressure region of the tube in excess of 20 times the speed of sound andtemperatures associated with said shock waves have been observed inexcess of 32,000° F. (i.e.-in the wave front of the shock wave). Whilethese devices produce sufficiently high energy waves to do work, theshort duration of the existence of the single shock wave and the effortand time required to repeat the action are factors which limit the useof such apparatus for test purposes.

This invention relates to an apparatus and method for generating,augmenting and utilizing high-intensity pressure waves such as shockwaves directed into reaction chambers for creating chemical and, incertain instances, physical changes in fluids and solids. It is known inthe art that various chemical reactions which are difficult oruneconomical to attain at so-called low temperatures (below 2500° F.)and at pressures in the range of atmospheric pressure can be made tooccur rapidly and efficiently at higher temperatures and pressures.Certain difficulties are experienced in attempting to attain hightemperatures and pressure by conventional means employing conventionalcombustion, electrical energy, etc. such as energy input requirements,heat corrosion, heat loss in process, and the effects of prolongedapplication of heat to the process chemicals. The instant inventionemploys one or more means for generating one or more shock waves in afluid medium which may be the so called working fluid, the reactingfluid or a combination of both intermixed or in interfacial relationshipwith each other such as two gases, a gas and and liquid or two liquidsin either or both of which shock waves are generated and propagated.Depending on the intensity of the source of the shock wave which maycomprise an electrical spark, explosion, mechanical oscillator andamplifying means or one or more intense radiation beams, temperaturesexisting in a moving shock wave may equal or exceed one million degreesFarenheit and may be used as described herein to effect chemical andphysical changes in matter subjected thereto. One or more lasers orelectron guns may be employed and directed to generate one or moreintense beams operable to generate shock waves as described hereafter.

A primary object of this invention is to provide improvements inapparatus and methods for generating and applying shock waves to matter.

Yet another object is to provide improved means for generating andaugmenting shock waves in reaction chambers by the sudden release ofintense radiant energy.

Another object is to provide an apparatus and method for generating andaugmenting shock waves by means of intense arcing or generating sparksin a gaseous or liquid medium.

Another object is to provide an apparatus and method for generating andaugmenting shock waves in a gaseous, liquid or solid medium bygenerating intense radiant energy by means of a laser or electron beamgenerating gun and directing same into a gas, liquid or a solid.

Another object is to provide an apparatus and method for deformingmatter by means of the intense pressures generated by a plurality ofshock waves directed against the matter.

Another object is to provide a shock wave generating apparatus andmethod capable of coating or eroding matter.

Another object is to provide improvements in apparatus which isapplicable for high-temperature reactions such as that defined by theapparatus herein.

With the above and such other objects in view as may hereinafter morefully appear, the invention consists of the novel constructions,combinations and arrangements of parts as will be more fully describedand illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but it is to be understoodthat changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fallwithin the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view with parts broken away for clarity of a wavegenerating apparatus employing piston means to generate and amplifycompression and shock waves;

FIG. 2 is a side view with parts broken away for clarity of a modifiedfrom of the apparatus of FIG. 1 including spark-generating means forforming and amplifying shock waves;

FIG. 1a is a side view with parts broken away for clarity of a modifiedform of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 1b is a side view with parts broken away for clarity of a modifiedform of the apparatus of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 1c is a side view with parts broken away for clarity of a modifiedform of piston drive means for gas associated with the apparatus ofFIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 1d is a side view, with parts broken away for clarity, of amodified piston drive means for driving gas in an apparatus of the typeillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 1e is a side view with parts broken away for clarity showing anultrasonic whistle connected to a shock tube;

FIG. 3 is a side view with parts broken away for clarity of a multipleshock tube apparatus;

FIG. 4 is an end view of an apparatus of the type shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view with parts broken away for clarity of partof the apparatus of FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing control components for anapparatus of the type shown in FIGS. 1-5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a power-operated valveapplicable to the apparatus of FIGS. 1-6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view in end elevation of the valve of FIG.7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side view in cross-section of a modified form ofvalve applicable to the apparatus of FIGS. 1-6;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectioned side view of another form of valveapplicable to the apparatus of FIGS. 1-6;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken in end elevation of another formof valve application to the apparatus of FIGS. 1-6;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view of a modified form of the end of a shockchamber of the type shown in FIGS. 1-6;

FIG. 13 is an end elevational view taken in cross-section of the valveof FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view of a fluid injector applicable tothe apparatus of FIGS. 1-6;

FIG. 15 is a side view with parts broken away for clarity of the workingend of a reaction chamber of the type shown in FIGS. 2 and 6;

FIG. 16 is a side view in cross-section of the end of another form ofreaction chamber within the purview of the instant invention;

FIG. 17 is a side view in cross-section of yet another form of reactionchamber;

FIG. 18 is a side view in cross-section of a form of valve applicable tothe apparatus of FIGS. 1-6;

FIG. 19 is a side view in cross-section of a timing control applicableto the apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 6;

FIG. 19a is a side view in cross-section of another form of timingcontrol;

FIG. 19b is a side view in cross-section of yet another form of timingcontrol;

FIG. 20 is a side view in cross-section of a modified form of theapparatus of FIGS 1, 2 and 6, which is operable to perform reactions ona liquid in the conduit;

FIG. 21 is a side view in cross-section of a modified form of theapparatus of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is an end view in cross-section of a reaction chamber employingthree shock tubes angulated with respect to each other and discharginginto a common reaction zone;

FIG. 23 is a side view in cross-section of the apparatus of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is an end view in cross-section of a modified form of theapparatus of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24' is a side view with parts broken away for clarity of anapparatus of the type shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 25 is an isometric view of a reaction chamber employing a pluralityof shock tubes operatively coupled to said chamber;

FIG. 26 is a side-elevational view of shock wave generating apparatusapplicable to the apparatus of FIGS. 1-6;

FIG. 27 is a side-elevational view of a modified form of that shown inFIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a side elevational view of yet another modified form of theapparatus shown in FIGS. 26 and 27;

FIG. 29 is a side-elevational view of a fragment of a modified form ofreaction apparatus of the type shown in FIGS. 26-28;

FIG. 30 is a side-elevational view of yet another form of reactionapparatus employing a free piston to generate shock waves in a pluralityof shock tubes;

FIG. 31 is a fragmentary view of the apparatus of FIG. 30 with partsbroken away for clarity;

FIG. 32 is a side-elevational view of a modified form of fluiddispensing apparatus employing features of the invention;

FIG. 33 is a side-elevational view in cross-section of the end of ashock tube modified to receive and locate a member to be coated by meansof shock waves;

FIG. 34 is a side-elevational view of a modified form of reactionapparatus for reacting on articles disposed on a conveyor;

FIG. 35 is a side view with parts broken away for clarity of a modifiedform of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing means for moving articles to beprocessed with shock waves into an out of a reaction chamber;

FIG. 36 is a side view with parts broken away for clarity of a portionof a shock wave apparatus which may be used to process sheet materialwith shock waves;

FIG. 37 is a side-elevational view of a reaction chamber and an articletherein to be coated;

FIG. 38 is an end-elevational view with parts broken away for clarity ofa work piece and a shock wave generating apparatus coupled thereto;

FIG. 39 is a side view in cross-section of a modified form of piston andspark-generating means applicable to the apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 40 is a side-elevational view of part of a reaction chambercross-sectioned and provided with spark discharge means for generatingand amplifying shock waves;

FIG. 41 is a side view in cross-section of a fragment of a modified formof shock wave generating apparatus employing spark discharge means;

FIG. 42 is a side view in cross-section of a modified form of theapparatus of FIG. 41;

FIG. 43 is an end elevational view of a modified form of the apparatusof FIG. 41 and 42;

FIG. 44 is an end-elevational view of a modified form of the apparatusof FIG. 42;

FIG. 45 is an end-elevational view of a modified form of the apparatusof FIG. 44.

In an important form of the invention, shock waves are created in rapidsuccession in a reaction chamber or shock tube and are passed in rapidsuccession into and through a working region of a said tube to createchemical and/or physical changes in matter such as a fluid or fluidsthrough which said waves pass by the action of the temperature generatedin the wave fronts of said shock waves and/or the pressure effects ofsaid waves. In one form, an oscillating piston is utilized to physicallyimpart kinetic energy to the gas or fluid in a tube and by oscillatingat a predetermined frequency which may be considered the resonantfrequency of the fluid in said tube configuration, said piston may beused to set up a wave motion therein which is augmentive in effect oneach successive pressure purturbation and/or on an oscillating pressurewave set up in at least part of said tube such that said pressure wavedevelops into a shock wave. The shock wave oscillating in the range of25 to 100 or more cycles per second, or waves generated at suchfrequencies, in the working region of the shock tube may then be used tocompress a fluid therein and to transfer part of their thermal energy tosaid fluid to create chemical reactions. Whereas, for certain reactionsand physical changes in matter as provided hereafter, may be effected byshock waves generated by detonation, or explosions which are hereinproposed for use in the apparatus to be described where applicationdisadvantages of explosives created shocks include possible chemicalinteraction between the detonation products and the desired end-productsas well as possible higher equipment and operating costs.

Temperatures for microsecond periods in the order of 450,000° to1,000,000° F. in helium and deuterium may be effected utilizing shorttime electrical discharges at very high current densities. Sparkdischarge means may therefore be provided per se or combined with saidmechanical means for creating and augmenting shock waves to createchemical and physical changes in matter.

In the apparatus to be described hereafter, one or more modes ofoperation or combinations of modes of operation of shock generatingmachinery may be employed to produce a particular end effect. Theselection of which components, group of components, control valves orconfigurations to employ will depend on the desired end results and theparameters experienced during the operation of the apparatus in light ofthe chemical reaction or test requirements.

The basic mode of operation of the wave generating apparatus to bedescribed is effected by the creation of a shock wave phenomenon in ashock tube or reaction chamber of a characteristic such that amultiplicity of shock waves may be rapidlygenerated, preferably at apredetermined and fixed frequency in a fluid and used to effect chemicaland physical changes in matter by virtue of the high temperature effectsof said shock waves, and/or the high compression pressures resultingfrom the convergence of said shock waves toward each other and/or theirmovement in a fluid towards a surface or surfaces.

One form of the invention utilizes a reaction chamber which willhereafter be referred to as an intermittent shock tube. Unlike theconventional shock tube which employes a single shock wave generatedtherein, the hereinafter described intermittent shock tube provides ashock phenomenon which includes means for generating and causing one ormore shock waves caused to oscillate back and forth in a duct.

The conventional so-called shock tube is a metal tube divided by adiaphragm into a low pressure and a high pressure section. Driver gas,released from the high pressure section by puncturing the diaphragmdevelops a shock wave as it enters the low pressure region at 17 to 20times the speed of sound. Temperatures up to 32,000° F. have beenobserved in this wave front.

The operation of the proposed intermittent shock tube may be effected byone or combinations of the following wave generating techniques, any ofwhich may be applicable to the various configurations to be described.

(1) The discharge of an intense spark or laser light beam into a chamberor closed tube will create a shock wave, the characteristics (velocityand temperature value) of which will be a function of the intensity ofthe spark or light energy the configuration of the tube and thecharacteristics of the fluid in which said shock is generated. Certainof the shock wave devices provided hereafter may utilize anintermittently generated spark or light beam in an enclosed reactionchamber to provide a series of intermittent high intensity shock wavesthrough a test or working section of said chamber.

(2) Impulse means employing a modified ballistic piston preferablydriven in short stroke oscillating motion at frequencies in the range of2000 to 10,000 cycles per minute to set up transient wave motions in anenclosed duct or reaction chamber which are augmented or amplified byacoustic resonant effects as well as shaping said chamber, if necessary,to create a travelling shock wave or shock waves in said chamber whichpass through a test section thereof at high frequency. The cumulative oradditive effects of the intermittently appearing shock waves in saidtest section may be used to heat a fluid or solid member to hightemperatures and to subject said fluid or solid to high intermittentpressures. Since the high temperatures and pressures generated aretransient phenomena and exist in the fluid in which the shock wave isgenerated for microsecond periods, the result on the gas molecules is aninstantaneous heating to high temperature followed immediatelythereafter by a rapid cooling. This rapid cooling from high temperaturemay be used to advantage in various chemical reactions involving gasesincluding fixation processes such as nitrogen fixation whereby chemicalchanges occur and remain as a result of said rapid inflection intemperature and/or pressure.

(3) Combinations of spark discharge and mechanical/or laser drive meanssuch as said oscillating piston in which both means coact to providemultiple intermittent shock waves of increased or amplified intensity ina test or working region of a reaction chamber or shock tube.

(4) Rapid combustion explosive detonation or chemical reactionsinvolving heat occurring at a predetermined frequency may be employed inthe apparatus described herein per se or in coaction with electricaland/or mechanical means of the type described in (2); or by means ofintense light beams as described.

(5) Other electro-mechanical driving means may be employed to createsaid intermittent pressure disturbances in said primary section 12 ofduct 10. A vibratable diaphragm or membrane such as the sound producingdiaphragm of a speaker or horn driven by electromagnetic means andadapted to vibrate at relatively high amplitudes (in the order of 1/64thto 1/8 inch or more) may be utilized in place of the piston 20 of FIG.1, 46 of FIG. 2 or in the other apparatus of the invention. Saiddiaphragm would preferably extend across the diameter of the tubesection 12 in the position of the piston or at least the frame or rim onwhich said diaphragm or vibrating plate would extend across and closeoff the head end of the section 12 in the position of the piston.Notation 23 of FIG. 1d refers to or defines the speaker or horn bodysecured in the section 10a and operatively communicating with thechamber 10c with the piston 20 and piston shaft removed from thedrawing. Since a diaphragm or speaker plate would be easier to vibrateat higher frequencies than the piston due to its lighter mass, it may beapplied to advantage when operating in the higher frequency wave motionrange.

FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus for creating intermittent shock wavesand utilizing said shock waves to effect chemical reactions on a fluidor fluids admitted to a working region of said apparatus. The apparatuscomprises an elongated tube or duct 10 having an oscillatable piston 20slidably engaged in an enlarged diameter section 12 of said duct andapparatus for admitting a fluid or fluids such as a gas or liquid to areduced diameter section 16 situated beyond the other end of section 12and communicating with the latter through a coupling section 14 ofsmooth tapered or inflected curve contour as illustrated. The entireinterior of the elongated duct 10 is preferably smoothly finished toreduce the effects of wall friction. Means, not illustrated in FIG. 1,are provided for oscillating the piston 20 preferably in the range of 40to 100 cycles per second or more at displacements in the range of 1/8inch to one inch or more which will be limited, of course, by thefrequency as well as the capabilities of the apparatus driving saidpiston.

By providing the correct configuration of duct 10 and by oscillating thepiston 20 at or near the natural gas dynamical frequency of theconfiguration of 10, shock waves may be formed in the fluid therein andcaused to oscillate in the reduced diameter section 16 which section isshown closed off with an end wall 18. These waves may be used to heatthe fluid therein as well as any fluid or solid matter introducedtherein to create chemical and physical changes in said matter.

In a typical configuration, if the bore of chamber section 12 is 4 to 6inches, the bore of reduced section 16 about an inch, the length ofsection 12 about 12 feet with section 16 about two feet, and if thepiston 20 is driven at 50 to 60 cycles per second, shock waves in excessof Mach 2 in intensity will develop and oscillate in section 16. Themaximum Mach value of the shock wave will be a function of thecharacteristics of the fluid in the duct 10, the degree it is underpressure, the shape of the configuration, displacement and frequency ofoscillation of the piston 20, and purturbations set up by introducing afluid or fluids into said chamber during operation of said piston.Pressure waves set up in the larger section 12 drive the fluid in thereduced section 16 through the intermediary section 14. A compressioneffect is provided at the coupling section 14 which will be augmentiveor amplifying in nature if the fluid motion in the adjacent sections 12and 16 are what could be considered in phase. The fluid wave in section16 may thus develop into a wave motion which includes a shock wave orwaves which travel to the end and reflect off the end wall 18.Thereafter the reflected wave travels back towards section 14. When theratio of the length of section 12 is approximately six times the lengthof section 16 and the piston 20 is oscillated in the range of 3000 to4000 times per minute, for diameters in the ranges of 4 to 6 inches forsection 12 and 1/2 to 11/2 inches for section 16, the pressure wavesgenerated in 12 will create shock wave effects in 16 which will reachpeak values when the frequency of piston 20 is adjusted to create saidvalues. This will occur when the pressure waves set up in section 12reach the section 14 or beyond at approximately the same time thereflected wave in section 16 reaches or approaches said section 14 sothat a summing or cumulative energy effect is attained and maximumkinetic energy is transmitted from the waves in section 12 to those insection 16. As the chamber 10 is pressurized, the intensity of the shockwave produced in section 16 will increase. The numerals 28 and 30 referto fluid piping connected in sealing engagement with the chamber section12, for pressurizing said chamber interior volume 12c. Either or bothfluid lines 28 and 30 thus terminate a source of reservoir of driver orworking fluid.

Fluid lines 29 and 30 may also be used to introduce and/or remove fluidor fluids from the chamber 10. For this purpose, and to preventperturbations in the duct 10 due to wave motion in said tubes 28 and 30valves 32 and 34 are provided flush with the walls of said chamber,which valves may be controllably operated to open and close atpredetermined time intervals after multiple pressure cycles haveoccurred in said apparatus or during specific times during each cycle.Also illustrated in FIG. 1 are a pair of fluid ducts 36 and 38 andrespective valves 40 and 42 mounted flush with the walls of said chambersection 16 and communicating with the interior volume for the purpose ofadmitting and/or removing predetermined quantities of fluid to thechamber region 16 at predetermined time intervals during each cycle orafter a number of cycles. If a predetermined, small quantity of fluid ispulsed through one of the valves 36 or 38 at a specific point in thetransient pressure cycle, it may be introduced in a manner so as not tointerrupt the shock wave formation and motion therein. This may beaccomplished by means to be described, whereby the valve is opened forbrief periods of time, said action being synchronized to the wave motionin the duct 10.

The augmenting or amplifying effect on the waves created in section 16of the duct 10 of FIG. 1 may be explained qualitatively as follows. Onthe forward stroke, the piston compresses the fluid in front of it andcreates a pressure wave which first travels down the duct at the speedof sound. The perturbance enters the restricted section 14 which isdesigned to permit maximum compression effects on the fluid in thereduced section 16 by the compression waves generated in section 12 bythe piston 20 with a minimun of detrimental effects such as energylosses caused by turbulance resulting from abrupt changes in shape ofthe duct 10 or the like. The compression wave generated in 12 acts as anelastic piston in passing through the section 14 & drives the fluid insection 16 creating a pressure wave which travels to the end of saidsection and reflects off the end wall 18. The reflected wave thentravels back up the section 16 and if the frequency of operation of thepiston is correct, said reflected wave will arrive at the reducingsection 14 at a time to be reversed in direction and have part of theenergy of the next compression wave generated in 12 by said pistontransferred thereto. When wave timing or generation in the section 12 iscorrect, (i.e. the amplitude and frequency of the piston 20 are right)the effect will be augmentive and energy will be added to the wavemotion in section 16 in a cumulative manner until a shock wave phenomenadevelops therein and travels up and down the tube 16. This shock wavemay be made to oscillate at relatively high frequencies (in the order of50 to 200 times per second or more) the repeated intermittentcompression effects of the wave on fluids or solids already in section16 or injected therein intermittently may be used to change the physicaland/or chemical characteristics of said fluids.

FIGS. 1a and 1b show further details of the construction and auxiliaryapparatus associated with the wave resonating apparatus of FIGS. 1 and2. The duct sections 12 and 16 are illustrated as lengths of heavywalled cylindrical pipe having end flanges 13a, 13b, 17a and 17bintegrally formed or welded thereon. The tubes are preferably made of asteel, titanium or other alloy of high strength and not easily corrodedby heat and the expected chemicals participating in or resulting fromsaid reaction and capable of withstanding the eroding effects of saidshock waves. High nickel steels such as Inconnel or Hastelloy-X, orsuitable titanium may be used to make the shock tube sections 12, 14 and16 or may line tubes of which said sections are cast or forged. Glass,glass-ceramics, or ceramic materials may also be used as the material ofsaid sections or coated on the interior of ducts of the shapesillustrated. Bolts 26 may be used to hold the three illustrated sectionstogether by clampingly engaging the flanges. Sealing gaskets or metallicO-rings are provided in circumscribing channels in the flanges to effectpressure seals thereacross. The construction permits rapid assembly anddisassembly of the duct 10, for cleaning and inspection purposes.

Mounting brackets 27a, 27b and 27c are bolted to the flanges for rigidlymounting said duct on a frame or floor. Fluid piping 19 is provided as acoil about the working end of chamber 16 for removing heat generated insaid reaction zone by the shock waves and/or the chemical reaction bycirculation of a coolant therethrough. The coil 19 may also be used toheat the chamber walls if necessary to enhance the reaction. Bolted tothe end flange 17b or section 16 is an end wall section 18 which mayalso contain means for removal of heat to conducted thereto by saidshock waves refelecting thereoff. A removal insert 25 is secured to thewall member 18 having a diameter area equal to that of the cross sectionof chamber 16. The insert may be made of a high erosion and heatcorrision resistant metal alloy, ceramic, ceramet or ceramic glass. Itis held in a cavity in the wall 18 upon assembly of 18 with the flange17b or by the use of screw fasteners or the like (not shown) and isremovable for replacement, if necessary. Insert 25 preferably is greaterin area than the internal cross sectional area of tube 16 and is engagedby the metal seal 29 between the end wall 18 and the flange 17b asillustrated. For certain applications, tungsten carbide or the like maybe used for insert 25. Said insert 25 is shown in FIG. 1c as beingcup-shaped on the side facing the tube 16 with a wall 25' having a borethe inside diameter of the chambersection 16. The interior surface ofrim or wall 25' thereof receives high intensity forces of the wavesreflecting off the surface of the base section 25" directly in line withsaid waves and prevent wear-out of the rear end of the wall of tube 16.

FIG. 1b shows the reducing section 14 as having a more elongated shapethan that illustrated in FIG. 1a. The exact shape employed will dependon the other parameters of the equipment and fluid used therein. FIG. 1balso illustrates a modification to the end of the reduced diameterchamber portion 16 with a valve 31 located directly in alignment withthe reaction volume 16' and secured to the end flange 17b thereof andoperative for the longitudinal injection and/or removal of reactionmaterial or products of reaction. The valve 31 is preferably programcontrolled to operate intermittently for a predetermined period duringeach reaction cycle and if properly operated may be used to inject afluid or remove same so as to have an augmenting effect on the wavesgenerated in the chamber rather than a detrimental effect.

Mounting details of the side located valves 40 and 42 are alsoillustrated and include base plugs or plates 40a welded to the wall ofthe tube section 16 having threaded holes therein to which the fittings40' of the valves are secured.

In FIG. 1d, means is shown for oscillating a piston 33 at highfrequency. A lineal drive 23 is secured in a section 12a of tubing whichis provided with a flange and is bolted to the end flange 13a of section12. The motor 23 may be a push-pull solenoid adapted for operation of ashaft 26 (connected to the piston 20) at high frequency by conventionalmeans. The amplitude may range from a fraction of an inch to an inch ormore.

FIGS. 12d and 12e show two other wave generating means for creatingpressure perturbances in the section 12 of the shock tube 10 which maybe amplified to shock waves further down said tube. In FIG. 1d a linealmotor such as a solenoid 23 or other electromagnetically driventransducer is coupled to a plate or diaphragm 33 supported near itsperimeter upon assembly of sections 12 and 12b of the duct 10. The plateor diaphragm 33 is preferably a thin disc and may correspond to amodified vibrating diaphragm of a loudspeaker. The dotted outline 33'shows the possible position of 33 (exaggerated) during the forwardstroke in which it creates a pressure wave in section 12. The shaft of23 is secured to 33 by a fitting 33" welded or bonded to the rear faceof 33.

In FIG. 1e is shown another means of generating pressure perturbances inthe primary chamber 12 of the type described utilizing a horn 33 havinga turbine blade arrangement or vibrating element therein operating ahigh frequency and operative to produce high frequency waves. The horn35 may itself create shock waves of low intensity in front of its cone37 which extends completely across the chamber 12 and is held betweenthe sections 12 and 12b when assembled as shown.

Several modes of operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1 are noted viz:

(1) The entire internal reaction zone may be pressurized. Gas pressuresof several atmospheres or higher may be provided in the chamber 12 by,for example, combustion of one or more of the gases introduced into saidchamber. Such combustion may be effected by an igniter such as a sparkplug (not shown) operating at predetermined intervals and preferablysynchronized to occur with the formation of shock waves in the zone 16c.Combustion may also be effected by the shock waves formed in zone 16cand it may be part of the chemical process occuring in said zone.Pressurization may also be effected by introducing a fluid underpressure through any of the illustrated inlet valves. Saidpressurization may be effected, at the beginning of a working cycle,during the working cycle at predetermined time intervals thereof or atspecific times in the working cycle in synchronization with the wavemotion in tube section 12c to augment said wave motion and increase theintensity of the shock waves generated in zone 16c. Pressurization ofthe entire internal volume of the chamber 10 may be effected byintroducing fluid through one of the valves 32 or 34 and may bemaintained in a predetermined average value by automatic control meanssuch as by opening said inlet valve for a predetermined period of timeduring each cycle using constant fluid pressure applied to driver orworking fluid.

(2) The chamber 10 may be operated by cyclic and rapid reduction of thepressure in the zone 16c by opening the exhaust valve 42 at a known timein the cycle for a predetermined interval while applying suction to theline 38 to enhance the intensity of the shock waves generated in saidsection. This may be effected as the result of withdrawing part of thefluid which took part in the reaction resulting from the prior shockwave generated therein. Connection of a vacuum pump or decompressionchamber to the other end of 38 will effect such action when 42 isopened.

(3) In a third mode of operation, the inlet lines 28 and 30 may beutilized to maintain a supply of driver fluid in section 12c byoperation of the valves 32 and 34 in synchronization with the wavemotion in the chamber after each or a predetermined number of cycles.The drive fluid may also be provided so as to take part in the reactionoccuring in reaction chamber section 16c. Fluid line 36 may also beconnected to a reservoir of a reaction fluid under high pressure andline 38 to a chamber under vacuum. Thus when the valve 40 is opened fora short interval such as a fraction of a second, a predeterminedquantity of fluid from the supply reservoir will flow into zone 16c. Ifvalve 42 is opened simultaneously with the opening of valve 40 orshortly thereafter, the fluid entering said chamber through valve 40 maybe used to help purge part of the reactant fluid already in the reactionregion thereof and cause it to flow into the exhaust line 38. If bothvalves are opened for a brief period during each wave cycle, such asafter the shock wave has passed through region 16c and reflected off theend wall 18 or at least has caused a predetermined reaction to takeplace, fluid flow into and out of the section 16c may be thus timed soas not to reduce the resonant wave motion therein. Thus precise timingis required in the opening and closing of the valves 40 and 42 and thismay be effected by atuomatic control or programming means operative topredeterminedly effect the means driving the piston 20, sparkgeneration, operation of the drive turbine, or other means and valveoperation.

FIG. 2 shows shock wave generating apparatus similar to that shown inFIG. 1 but having spark generating means utilizable per se or with apiston for creating and/or augmenting or increasing the intensity ofwaves generated by the motion of a piston 46 in an enclosed elongatedduct 44. The shock tube 44 may be constant in internal cross sectionalong its entire length or similar to that shown in FIG. 1. It may alsohave an internal cross section or bore the shape of the frustrum of anelongated cone, which extends from a cylindrical section 12' in whichpiston 46 is oscillated. At the end of section 12' in the taperedsection 14' or therebeyond in section 16', is shown situated a pair ofelectrodes 62 and 64 across the walls of the tube. The electrodes areconnected in an electrical circuit 72 with a suitable source 90 of highvoltage current such as an induction spark coil or banks of condensersand a means for discharging said current across the electrodes at apredetermined time in the transient pressure cycle such that the shockwave created by said spark will be additive in action and augment orincrease the intensity of the pressure or shock wave created in section16' by the motion of the piston 46. In FIG. 2 a pair of ignition points86 are urged to close at a predetermined point in the operating cycle bya cam 84 secured to the shaft 80 of the motor or drive causing motion ofthe piston 46. By adjustment of the position of the cam 84 on the shaft80 or by other synchronizing means, the points 86 may be made to closeat a precise time in the pressure cycle (i.e. point in the motion of thepiston 46 which operates in phase with said fluid movement cycle in theduct 44.

Shock wave generation and/or augmentation utilizing sparks arcingbetween electrodes may also be provided in other locations in theapparatus of FIG. 2. For example, a pair of electrodes may be providedprojecting from the face of piston 46, or on the end wall 18 to coactwith the augmenting action of electrodes 62 and 64 or to be used per se.When provided on the face of piston 46, the spark may be arced duringthe forward or compression stroke of said piston at a time to augmentthe pressure wave generated in chamber section 12 and hence increase thecompression effect on the fluid in section 16. When provided on the faceof piston, as illustrated hereafter, the spark is generated immediatelyafter the reflection of the shock wave thereof so as to augment thereflected wave. Electrodes may also be provided across or within thechamber sections 12 and 14 and may be operated per se or in coactionwith said piston 46 and/or other pairs of electrodes. Thus a tubeconfiguration as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 2 may be provided with sparkarcing means per se in the chambers 12 and 16 together with means forgenerating and timing said sparks to create a shock wave motion in thechamber section 12 at a predetermined frequency driving fluid in chambersection 16 as does the piston of FIG. 1, and may be used per se or incoaction with spark arcing means in section 14.

Further details of the apparatus of FIG. 2 comprises means for drivingthe piston 46 which includes a connecting rod 76 pivotally mounted on awrist pin 47 on piston 46 and connected at the other end to acrank-shaft 80 with a cam type of counterbalance 78. The shaft 80 isrotated by a motor (not shown) at a constant speed. Notation 82 refersto a crank case secured to tube 44 for supporting and housing thecrankshaft 80.

A second piston 48 is illustrated as being slidably engaged in the endof tube section 16 and may serve either or both of two purposes, (a) tocoact with the action of piston 46 and/or the sparking means inaugmenting said wave action by imparting energy to the fluid in motionin section 16. It may also be used as a valve if fitted with asub-piston to admit and/or remove fluid from chamber 16. By axialadjustment of the position of piston 48, it may be used as a movable endwall to vary the length of section 16 with (a) temperature changes inthe chamber (b) with fluid chamber or variations in the characteristicsof fluids as reactions progress therein or when different fluids areinjected or introduced therein as the process progressed all of whichwould ordinarily change the speed of the propagation of sound in thechamber 44. Notation 60 refers to a sliding seal and bearing support forthe shaft 50 of the piston 48. This piston 48 may also have the designshown in FIG. 18 for admitting and/or removing fluid from the reactionzone 16.

In the operation of the described apparatus gas pressures of severalatmospheres or higher may be provided in the described shock tubes bycombustion of one or more of the gases introduced into said chamberthrough one of the illustrated valves. Pressurization may also beeffected by introducing a fluid under the desired pressure through anyof the illustrated inlet valves.

FIGS. 3 to 5 show details of reaction apparatus of the type illustratedin FIG. 1 which may also be modified as in FIG. 2, comprising a multiplearray of shock tubes which are driven by a common drive means. Multipleshock tubes 100a to 100k of the intermittent type illustrated in FIG. 1and/or FIG. 2 are provided in a circular array with the ends of thereaction zone sections 101 of each tube communicating with a circularduct 128 into which a working fluid is pumped and held or circulatedwhile the shock waves generated in said tubes react thereon.

Each of the reaction chambers 100 of the multiple shock tubes, forexample, may be closed off and provided with means for acting on thesame or different fluids introduced into each chamber continuously orintermittently by valving means connected thereto or through thepiston-end of the tubes, by means described hereafter. The open ends ofthe tubes of the assembly of FIGS. 3 to 5 may also be extended into asingle container or chamber having a fluid to be reacted on by the shockwaves generated therein. Said fluid may be a liquid and the ends of saidtubes may be projected just above or below the surface of said liquid.

The reaction tubes 100a to 100k are shown each supported at one end by aplate or frame 104 which is bolted to the floor or frame 105 on brackets104 and at the other end by a second plate 130 supported by brackets109. Details of the mounting of the head end 100' of each tube areillustrated in the cross-sectional view, FIG. 3 which shows a flare 102welded to the end of said tube 100 which is bolted to the vertical plate104, there being a hole 111 in the plate in line with the longitudinalaxis of each reaction tube through which the piston rod 107 passes. InFIG. 5, the hole 111 is fitted with a side bearing 112 for guiding thepiston rod in axial movement therein. A large disc 118 is provided as acam unit for driving the pistons 106 of all reaction tubes as said disc118 rotates. The disc, preferably made of metal, is mounted on a shaft122 which is supported on end bearinfgs 123 and 125 secured to the flooror frame 105. The shaft 122 is driven through a reduction gear driveunit 124 by a motor 126. The periphery of the disc 118 is a cylindricalsurface 118' having a cam way provided therein in the form of a closedloop channel 120 of a smooth wave-like contour preferably in the form ofa flat sinusoidal curve, as illustrated. In FIG. 5, a ring 119 is fittedover and secured to the periphery of the wheel and partly closes off thesinusoidal channel 120. An arm rod 114 formed on or welded to the end ofthe piston rod 107 projects into the channel 120. A roller bearing orbearing supported wheel 116 is rotationally mounted on the rod or shaft114 and rides on one of the side walls of the groove 120 depending onwhich part of the closed loop curve of said groove is opposite saidpiston. As the disc 118 rotates on its shaft, the cam shaped channel 120will trace a reciprocating path in any plane passing through andcontaining the axis of the shaft of the disc. The wheel 116 will thus becarried in an oscillating motion in the groove 120 as the disc rotatesand will urge the piston 106 to oscillate a multiple number of timeseach time said disc rotates depending on the number of loops to thecurved channel. If there are 8 cycles or loops to the channel 120 on thecam periphery, then each piston 106 coupled thereto as illustrated willoscillate 8 times for each rotation of said cam disc 118. If the camdisc 118 is driven at 1,000 r.p.m. then each piston will oscillate 8,000times per minute.

Connected to the ends of each reaction tube is a circular duct 128 whichcommunicates with each tube. A fluid pumped through said duct is thussubjected to shock waves at the points in its travel where each of thetube ends 101 connects thereto. A stream length of fluid in circulatingthrough duct 128 from inlet line 132 to exhaust line 133 is thussubjected to the heat and pressure of shock waves of each of the shocktubes 100a to 100k.

In FIG. 5 the notation 112 refers to an inlet line to chamber 101' forthe admission of a fluid thereto and/or a lubricating fluid forlubricating the piston 109 in its traverse motion in the tube section100'. 122' refers to a hole or line provided in or attached to theflywheel 118 for ducting a lubricating fluid to the channel 120 forlubricating the surfaces of the channel to reduce friction and wear asthe piston is moved back and forth by the urging of the wheel 116. Oilmay be vented through multiple lines 122' from the shaft 122 by pumpingsaid oil through a hole in said shaft communicating with the line orducts 122'.

Additional design features illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5 include radialholes 122' provided through the cam disc 118 from near the shaft mountor bearing near the center of said cam wheel for conducting alubricating oil to the channel 120 for improving the operation of urgingthe cam rod or wheel 116 engaged therein and reducing wear on the wallsof said sinusoidal cam channel. Oil may be pumped through the shaft 122and thence through multiple ducts or passages 122' provided in the disc118 or through tubing secured to the disc. In FIG. 5, a fluid line 112is shown terminating at the head end of the chamber. Said line may beused to provide lubricant for lubricating the piston and cylinder. Asimilar line may be used to introduce a driver or working fluid to thechamber 101 (12c) by introducing it into the volume 100c' between thebottom of the piston 106 and the cover plate 104 whereafter said fluidmay be introduced into the chamber 101 downstream of the piston byvalving in said piston to be described.

FIG. 6 illustrates schematically, apparatus for controlling theaforedescribed wave generating means whereby timing of such functions asfluid injection, reaction product exhausting, spark generation, etc. iseffected by directly coupling timing means to a drive shaft utilized todrive said piston 106. In FIG. 6, an adjustable speed, constant speedmotor 126 drives shaft 122 through gear box 124. Coupled to shaft 122 isthe cam wheel 118 of FIG. 3 which, as it rotates, causes piston 106' tooscillate back and forth a predetermined stroke in tube 100. The piston106' is assumed to be the valving type illustrated in FIGS. 14 or 15 anda chamber 322 is provided in ducting 100 for holding a quantity of fluidto be injected through 106' on the expansion or return stroke of saidpiston. It is noted that one or more of the valving or sparking means tobe described may be modified or eliminated as described, from theapparatus of FIG. 6 depending on the desired mode of operation thereof.

Control of timing of the opening and closing of the inlet and exhaustvalves 164 and 168 to working chamber 100b is effected through shaftinggeared to the shaft 122 or gear drive 124. A shaft 140 is geared toshaft 122, a second shaft 142 is coupled to 140 via gears 141. Thisshaft 142 extends to a variably adjustable speed drive 146, such as aV-belt device, having an output shaft 144 extending to an inlet valve164 which is preferably the type illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. Thus asmain drive shaft 122 rotates, the valve drive shaft 144 rotates, and canbe made adjustable by adjusting drive 146 to rotate once, twice or anydesired number of times while the piston oscillates once. Shaft 122 mayalso be made to rotate once for any predetermined number of oscillationsof said piston. The latter operation (i.e. one valve rotation oroperation per number of perturbances or shock wave generations willpermit the working fluid, or solid in 100b, to be subjected to shockwaves for a prolonged period of time.

Once the variable drive 146 has been set and locked at a predeterminedvalue, phasing of the rotation of valve with the motion of piston 106may be effected by use of a non-slip friction clutch between anysegments of said take off shafts or by an angularly adjustable shaftcoupling in any shaft such as 142' in shaft 142. Angular adjustment orphasing of the operation of 164 with the motion of the piston may beeffected by the provision of graduations or marks on said shafts 142aand 142b and stationary alignment pointers adjacent to each. By manuallyrotating one shaft section relative to the other and noting the positionof the marker line on shaft relative to a stationary marker, thenlocking or coupling the shafts 142 and 142b together at a predeterminedposition relative to shaft 122, the desired timing of the operation of164 relative to the position of the piston 106 may be effected.

In means similar to that just described, the rotary exhaust valve 168 orany other valve used for the admission or exhausting of products fromchamber 100b may be coupled to the main drive and timed to operate in apredetermined synchronization with the motion of the piston 106'.

Also illustrated in FIG. 6 are means for timing a spark to be generatedat or across the section 100b to occur at a predetermined time in thewave generating cycle in accordance with the teachings of FIG. 2. Ashaft 150 is geared to shaft 143' which is coupled via gears 141' toshaft 140' geared to the main shaft 122. The shaft 150 extends toanother shaft 153 via a coupling 152. The coupling 152 like 142' isadjustable in angle so that shafts 150 and 153 may be adjusted inrelative angle to each other. A cam 154 on the output shaft 153 isadapted to open and close a switch 156 or contactors which, whenactuated, complete a circuit as illustrated and described and cause aspark to jump across electrodes 160 and 161 by discharging condensers orenergizing a spark 160 and 161 by discharging condensers or energizing aspark-coil 158. Thus said spark may be made to occur at any time duringa pressure cycle by varying the relative position of shaft segments 150and 153 or by adjusting the angular position of the cam 154 on itsshaft. A variable speed drive or changeable gear box 152' provided inshaft 150 may be used to create more than one spark per cycle bystepping up the rotation of shaft 153 a desired degree. Stepping downsaid gear or shaft ratio will provide one spark produced shock wave pernumber of pressure wave generations caused by motion of the piston 106'.

Further details of the apparatus of FIG. 6 include an inlet duct 162 tovalve 164 and an adjustable valve 178 for adjusting the amount of flowfrom a pressurized reservoir (not shown) to chamber 100b, a secondadjustable valve 172 for regulating the degree of suction in exhaustline 166, a vacuum pump 176 connected to 166 through valve 172.

If the mode of operation of the apparatus of FIG. 6 includes the use ofa neutral driver fluid such as helium in which said shock waves aregenerated, and said injected working fluid is a gas whereby a fluid gasor vapor is removed during operation, then some of said driver gas willalso be removed and will have to be replaced. Also illustrated in FIG. 1is a pressurized reservoir 188 of said driver fluid ducted through aline 192 to the chamber 322 before the piston 106' through an adjustablevalve 194. If driver fluid is passed out with the products of reaction,the total exhaust products may be passed through a separator 177 priorto passage to a storage tank 184 wherein the driver fluid is separatedtherefrom. It may be further processed and returned or recycled throughthe reservoir 188 via ducting 182. In FIG. 6, the numeral 148 refers toa variable speed driver similar to 146 and 194 to a regulator or a valvefor the valving of driver or working fluid or explosive fuel to thechamber 322. It is noted that the various valves of FIG. 6 may besolenoid operated and controlled to open and close by means ofelectrical contactors such as 156 synchronized to close and open at aspecific point(s) in the rotation of the shaft driving the piston 106'.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show details of a rotating valve utilized for theadmission of fluid to the reaction chamber and/or reaction productremoval from the reaction chamber described. The valve 204 may becoupled in an inlet or exhaust line leading to or from the chamber 100bor it may be fastened to the wall of the chamber 100a or the end wall100c of the reduced section 100b. In the latter position, in line withthe central or longitudinal axis of the shock tube 100, the valve 204may be operated so as to permit all or part of the shock wave generatedin the closed tube to travel therethrough to another chamber, to admitand/or exhaust gas from said chamber for predeterminedly affecting wavemotion or the reaction, or for removing part of the products of reactiontherefrom.

The valve 204 has a body 204' made of a rectangular block of metalhaving two passageways bored therein. A first bore 206 is providedthrough said block for passing a fluid through said valve. A secondpassageway 204 is provided perpendicular to hole 206. Plates 204a and204b are secured in sealing engagement with the surfaces of the block204' across which the hole 207 is bored. A cylindrical gate 208, isslidably mounted in the bore 207 on shaftpins 210 and 210'. A bore 209the diameter of the bore 206 is provided through cylinder 208 to alignwith said hole 206 when the cylinder 208 is mounted as shown. Thusrotation of the cylinder or rod 208 alternately covers and opens thebore through the valve body 204. A gear 214 secured to the end of one ofthe shafts 210 is engaged by another gear 214' extending from a motordriven shaft 211 coupled to motor 212.

The shaft 211 may be the shaft of the motor driving the piston 106 ormay be coupled thereto. It may also be coupled to the shaft of a motorsynchronized in its operation to the rotation of the motor driving saidpiston so that the valve 204 may be operative to admit and/or removefluid from the shock tube 100b predeterminately during each pressurecycle. The motor driving shaft 210 may also be a stepping motoroperative to intermittently open and close said valve by rotating it 90degrees at a time. The rotational positioning of the cylinder 208 mayalso be made to occur once during every predetermined number of pressurewave cycles or at a predetermined time interval, after the starting ofsaid reaction apparatus after a known reaction has occurred so as toremove reaction products from the shock tube and/or add new fluidthereto. Synchronization of the motor 212 driving the valve gate 208with the rotation of the motor driving the piston 106 may be effected byproviding both said motors as synchronous motors operated by a commonalternating current power line. By providing an adjustable phase shifterbetween said power line and one of said motors any adjustable operationof one of said motors with the other motor may be effected so as topredetermine the instants or the opening and closing of valve 204relative to the transient pressure cycle in the shock tube 100. Bycontrolling the pressure upstream of the valve 204 as well as theconcentration of gas, gases or other fluids passed therethrough, optimumoperating parameters may be attained.

FIG. 9 shows details of a fluid pressure operated valve operative forthe admittance of a working or driving fluid to any of the describedreaction apparatus regions. The valve 220 is opened by the fluid to beadmitted at a predetermined pressure and closed by the action of aspring. It may be applied where a fluid under intermittent pressure isavailable, or may utilize the fluctuations in the reaction chamberpressures caused by the internal wave motion so as to admit fluidthereto at a specific instant in a wave cycle.

The valve 220 comprises a body 222 including an assembly of a cap member223, a plug 224 and a base ring 225. The latter 224 has holes thereinfor fluid flow to the interior or the reaction chamber from holes 228when a piston member 230 compresses a spring 232' and moves thereagainstunseating a shelf section 231 which normally covers the holes 228 whichcommunicate with the inlet line 226. Thus fluid in said feed line 226forces open said valve when the pressure differential across the piston230 overcomes the force of the spring 232' and said fluid is deliveredto the chamber.

In FIG. 10, the line 227 contains a driver fluid which, when itspressure becomes great enough, pushes piston 230 against spring 232'unseating shelf 231 and permitting an inlet hole 240 to communicate saidchamber with a second inlet line 241 containing a fluid desired to beflowed into said chamber 16c. The driver fluid pressure may be obtainedfrom a source of controllable or intermittent pressure which issynchronized in pressure variation to the variations in pressure in theduct 16. The line 226 may also be a bleed line connected to another partof the reaction chamber or shock tube at a location so as to provide thedesired valve opening at the desired time in a cycle.

FIGS. 10 to 18 show details of automatically operated valves for theadmission or injection of fluids into the shock tube chambers providedherein and/or the automatic removal of reaction products therefrom.

In FIG. 10, a valve 221 is provided which is opened for permitting flowof a fluid therethrough from an inlet line 227 by pressure bled from oneof the chambers of the shock tube illustrated. In the embodiment of FIG.10, fluid, under pressure, is preferably bled from near the head-end ofchamber section 16 through line 227 which fluid reacts on one face 230of a piston 231 forcing it against a spring 232 which operates tonormally keep said piston flush against a face 222 of the valve,preventing flow from inlet line 241, thereby opening said valve. Ports240 extending from the inlet line communicate with the inter-volume 16cof the duct 16 when the shelf 231 of the shaped piston or plunger 231moves from its seat against surface 222. The coil spring 232, iscompressively engaged in a hole 232' provided partly through the pistonsection 231 and is held at its other end by a rod extension 237 of amount 238 which threads into the valve body as illustrated.

If it is desired to introduce a working or driver fluid to the chamber16c by the pressure of said fluid alone rather than by the bleedactuated means illustrated, said fluid may be provided under a constantor pulsating pressurization from a pump through the line 227, at asufficient pressure to move said piston 231 against the closing actionof the spring 232 whereupon a by-pass duct (shown as a pair of dottedlines communicating between said inlet duct 227 and the chamber 16c when231' is unseated and normally covered by the latter) is used to providefluid from 227 to chamber 16c. If the line 227 is pressure pulsed, thepiston will return when the pressure drops seating section 231' againstsurface 222 and closing off 240.

The spring seat member 234 is secured to the insert through a yoke 238'extending across the insert 224. The fluid passed through the valve 221flows through openings 236 between the yoke mount 238 and the insertwall 224'.

If the pressure against 230 is constant but just enough to open thevalve, the increase in pressure within 16c during the operating cyclemay be used to close the valve and the piston motion will automaticallybe synchronized to the pressure cycle.

Another type of inlet valve is illustrated in FIG. 10' and comprises inits simplest form, a flat spring 242 cantilever mounted over an opening243 in the wall 244 of duct 10 with a fluid inlet line 245 connected tothe duct at the opening. This is a well-known reed valve and thepressure required to open it depends on its dimensions and springcharacteristics when mounted. Sufficient pressure within the inlet line245 willl move reed off its closed seating position permitting fluid toenter chamber. The fluid may be pressure pulsed against 242 or providedat constant pressure with the internal pressure variations accountingfor opening and closing of the valve.

FIG. 11 shows details of a typical valve for the admission of fuel ordriver gas to the smoothly contoured chamber 251 of any of the wavegenerating apparatus described, or for exhausting the resulting productsof reaction therefrom. A valve head 250 is integrally formed on the endof a stem 252 which is slidably supported in a bearing 253 secured tothe walls 246 of an enclosed cup-shaped housing 247. A compression coilspring 257, engaged between the top 258 of housing, engages a shelf 254integrally formed on the stem 252, and urges the head 250 against thewalls of a tapered hole H in the chamber wall 251. The face 250' of thevalve head 250 has a radius of curvature equal to the inside radius ofthe chamber wall 251 so that when said valve is seated flush with saidwall 251, the latter will be free of irregularities thereby providing asmooth interior surface for optimum efficiency during the generation ofthe shock wave phenomenon in the duct. A maximum efficiency is attained.

The valve may be opened by one of several means including a cam rotatedby a shaft gear or synchronized to the shaft driving the piston 20creating the wave motion. Another method of synchronizing the operationof valve 245 to the wave motion is to open said valve by a pull-solenoidwhich is coupled to stem 252 and mounted on the top of chamber 246. Thesolenoid may be actuated by a photo-relay, pressure switch or limitswitch in circuit with a power supply and said solenoid, which isenergized at a point in the piston travel as described.

The numeral 255 refers to a fluid inlet line communicating through hole256' with the chamber 256 by use of fitting secured to hole in wall 246'which holds fluid to be admitted through said valve when 250 is liftedoff its seat.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are sectional views showing details of a multiple inletand outlet valving device 260 applicable to apparatus of the typedescribed. A body or housing 262 is provided to which are securedmultiple ducts 264 to 268. The ends of the housing 262 are flaredpermitting the device to be bolted to a duct 276 which may be the end ofa tube such as the section 16 of FIG. 1 or tube 48 of FIG. 2. The duct276 may also be an inlet pipe for admitting a fluid or fluids to theinterior of the fitting 260. Secured to the housing 262 are shown threetubes 264, 266 and 268 of essentially the same diameter, the axes ofwhich are preferably in the same plane and are essentially perpendicularto the axis of the duct 278. The tubes 264 to 268 communicate with theinterior of the valve 260 through holes 280 in the wall with which theyare aligned, when three holes 281 of a walled cylinder 272 are alignedwith the holes 280 in the body 262. The cylinder 262 is open at one end263 and closed at the other by a plate 284 welded to its other end.Centrally secured to or formed integrally with the endplate 284 is ashaft 286 which is rotationally mounted in a bearing and shaft seal 288secured to a plate 289 covering the end of casing 262. The shaft 286 maybe stopped or rotated by a solenoid mechanism or motor at anypredetermined rate or speed to alternately permit the tubes 264 to 268to communicate with the interior of the cylinder 272. Thus when thecylinder 272 is aligned with its holes 281 aligned with the holes 280 inthe casing, a smooth and uninterrupted flow of fluid from tubes 264 tothe inner volume 282 of cylinder 272 if all holes 280, 281 and the boreof said tubes 264 to 268 are the same diameter. Notations 287 and 287srefer to ballbearings and seals secured between the outer wall of 272and the inner wall of 262 to facilitate rotation of 262 and seal of theinterior of said fixture or valve.

Another line or pipe 270 of smaller diameter than the others is shownsecured to the casing 262 in an angular position whereby it willcommunicate with the volume 282 when the other ducts 264 to 268 are shutoff from said interior as a result of the rotation of the cylinder 272.

The device of FIGS. 12 and 13 may be utilized with the describedapparatus in one of several manners:

(a) Said valve 260 may be fitted on the end section 278 of a shock tubeas illustrated. The three tubes 264 to 268 may be used to conduct threefluids of different chemical composition to the chamber 282 to be mixedand subjected to shock waves generated in 278 and reflected off the backplate.

(b) The three tubes 264 to 268 may also be the end sections of shocktubes utilizing the same or different fluids as the tube 278. The fourthduct 270 may be used to inject a working fluid into the chamber 282and/or remove products therefrom during or at the end of shock wavegeneration therein.

(c) If shock waves are produced in the three tubes 264, 266 and 268 aswell as the main shock tube 278 to which they are coupled by means ofthe valve, the valve may be utilized to close off the chamber 282 to thechambers 264 to 268 while a fluid to be worked on is injected through270, or the three tubes 264, 266 and 268 may be used to introducequantities of different fluids simultaneously into zone 282 while 270may be an exhaust line for the reaction products.

(d) The valve 260 may be used to close off two of the three ducts 264 to268 while the third is open to 282 thereby permitting a single shockwave to collapse on the fluid at a time and, at the same time,permitting new waves to be generated in the other two tubes which areclosed off until a single opening 281 in 272 passes their respectiveport. If resonance is employed in 264 to 268 to create shock waves, thiswill permit any disruptive effects caused by the opening of the valve tobe corrected.

FIG. 14 shows still another variation in the described means foradmitting or valving a fluid to the interior of reaction apparatus ofthe type described. In FIG. 14 a piston 290 which may be similar inoperation to piston 20 of FIG. 1, may operate in the working zone ofFIG. 2 as does 20 or may be oscillated on the end of shaft 22 in any ofthe other illustrated fluid inlet or exhaust lines. The center of piston290 has a longitudinal bore 296 which extends partly through the shaft294 to a point where a radial bore 297 communicates 296 with theexterior of said shaft. An injection nozzle 292 is preferably threadedand adapted to be secured in the counter bored and threaded end of thebore, and is shown flush with the face of the piston.

A bearing assembly 298 provides means for communicating a fluid with thebore 296 as the piston 290 oscillates relative thereto in a part of thereaction chamber or inlet line. The bearing 298 has a volume adjacentthe radial bore of sufficient longitudinal extension to alwayscommunicate with said bore regardless of the stroke position of saidpiston, although it may be limited in length and positioned only tocommunicate therewith at a point in said stroke when fluid delivery isdesired. The volume 300 which is formed by undercutting or providing acavity in the inside surface of said bearing, communicated with an inlettube 301 through a hole 302 in said bearing wall. Thus fluid introducedinto volume 300 through tube 301 flows through bore 296 and to thenozzle 292 through which it may be injected into the volume beyond thepiston. The numerals 304 and 304' refer to sliding shaft seals supportedby the housing 298 and adapted to engage the shaft 294 and seal off thechamber 300 as shaft 294 oscillates.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show details of a modified reaction chamber designincluding a modification in the design of a wall or surface positionedin the path of intermittently appearing shock waves and shaped to moreefficiently utilize said waves in reaction kinetics of the typedescribed involving fluids. When a shock wave travels into a container,duct or volume of increasing cross section it increases in intensity. Byproviding the end wall 332 of a shock duct 330 or chamber wall withmultiple indentations 334 of decreasing cross section with depth, thepressure and temperature effects on a fluid in said indentations will beincreased or amplified, due to the facts that the shock waves areincreased in value after they enter said volumes 334 and the fluid isconfined from lateral flow to a greater degree than if said indentationswere not provided. The efficiency of certain reactions will thus beimproved.

In FIGS. 15 and 16, the relatively heavy end-wall section 332 isprovided with a series of parallelly extending V-shaped channels 334through which a liquid or other fluid is flowed from an inlet duct 336at one side of the chamber 330 to a removal duct 338 at the other. It isassumed that the supply reservoir 336 is pressurized or provided with apump (not shown) and/or valve which may intermittently or continuouslyflow fluid through the V-channels 334 in 332. For example, said fluid337 may be filled to a specific height in each channel 334 by influxthrough the openings 335 in the sidewall 332', thence subjected to apredetermined number of shock waves until a specified reaction has takenplace and thereafter removed from said channels during the operation ofthe shock tube or after the wave generating means has been stopped.

The channels 334 may be other than wedge-shaped in cross section. Saidindentations 334 may be replaced by cone, semi-spherical or other shapedcavities which may be partially filled and emptied by gravity means (bytipping or dumping the tube 330) or through ducts leading to aninterconnecting said cavities through the block or wall 332 with supplyand drainage or suction systems. The numeral 339 refers to holes in thewall 332 through which products of reaction are removed by gravity orsuction means to ducting 340'. Numeral 340 refers to a feed line forsupplying fluid to reservoir or inlet duct 336.

Several methods of controlling the valving and other mentionedintermittent operating devices are illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 19.

In FIG. 17, the piston 20 oscillating in the primary chamber 12 isdriven by a motor through a cam 118. Affixed to the shaft 22 of piston20 is an arm 115 which extends outwardly therefrom. Secured to the arm115 is an elongated rod 343, which moves in a slide bearing 343' as thepiston 20 moves back and forth. A pin 344a secured the other end of rod343, rides in a slot in the end of a crank arm 344 which is pivotallymounted on the casing of a valve 40'. When the crank is urged to pivotby the action of arm 343, rod 343 operates to open and close the valve40' which connects a line 28' extending from a pressurized source offluid to be injected into the chamber 20 and said chamber. Thus, at apredetermined location during the stroke of the piston 20, fluid will beinjected into chamber 20. The coupling between the shaft extension 115and rod 343 is adjustable so that the timing of the operation of valve40' may be adjusted to attain an optimum mode of operation. A collar115' is welded to the end of rod 115 to slidably engage said rod 343.The end 343b of the rod 343 is threaded. By adjusting a pair of lockingnuts 343c and 343d, the location of the piston 20 at which valve 40'opens and the degree of valve opening may thus be adjusted.

FIG. 18 shows details of a piston operated valving device for use in theapparatus described to admit and/or remove fluid material to thedescribed shock tubes, their main chambers, working zones and/ordescribed sub-chambers connected thereto. The valving piston 350 of FIG.18 may be used, for example, as the working piston 20 of FIG. 1 or asthe working chamber end wall or valve 48 shown in FIG. 2. The piston 350may also be used in any of the inlet or exhaust lines 28, 30, 36 or 38of FIG. 1 to valve fluid to one or more of the shock tube zones orremove reaction products therefrom. As such, the piston may beoscillated after a predetermined number of motions of the main piston 20to introduce and/or remove a predetermined amount of fluid necessary tosustain the reaction and/or continue the process. The piston of FIG. 18may also be oscillated to open and close once during each pressure cycle(i.e. once for each cycle of motion of the main piston or each pressurepulse in the shock tube resulting in the formation or amplification of ashock wave in the working section).

The piston-valve 350' of FIG. 18 comprises a cylindrical piston head 350having one or more piston rings 351 assembled therewith and slidablyengaged in the tube 12. The interior of the piston 350 has a bore 352 inwhich a sub-piston 353 is slidably engaged and is preferably sealedaround its peripheral surface with rings 354. A shaft 355 of smallerdiameter is integrally formed with the sub-piston 353 and is engaged ina slide bearing 112 secured in tube 12 by a plate 356 which engages andis held against the inside wall of tube 12. The shaft 355 may be drivenby various means including a cam disc 118 if piston 350 is the mainpiston of the apparatus or a crank or other mechanism.

FIG. 19 shows details of another method of valve and piston timing orsynchronization control which utilizes a photoelectric cell or the likefor scanning marks on the piston shaft 107 to initiate valve actuationas well as effect other control functions such as spark generation.Notation 358 refers to a photoelectric relay including a photoelectriccell, amplifier and associated optical means including a slit permittingthe scanning unit to line scan locating lines. The unit 358 is mountedon a bracket 354, supported by shock absorbers 355 secured to the wall350 of the reaction chamber and positioned just above the end of pistonshaft 107. A grating or grid 356 of black and white serves as locatingmarks which are painted, printed or otherwise provided on said shaft oron a sheet 357 of rigid material such as glass which is secured to saidshaft 107 in a position whereby said lines will be individually scannedby the optical head 359 or slit associated with the photocell of therelay 358. Depending on the stroke of the piston 352, the spacing of thelines on the grid 356 will be a function of the degree of precisionrequired in timing the operation of the wave-generating apparatus. FIG.19 is a view in a plane perpendicular to the shaft 107 and shows use ofa diffraction grating or high resolution grid for shaft location andtiming. FIG. 19 shows a grating mounted on a plate 357' which is a sheetof glass secured to a flat section of shaft 107 and overhangs saidshaft. The grid lines on 357' may be in the order of 500 to 5,000 linesper inch. To photoelectrically detect these lines, a slit light source358' is also mounted on shock absorbers which are secured to the duct350 or its support. The light source 360 is aligned to pass a thin lineof light through one or more of the spacings between grid lines 357which results in a pulse signal train being generated as the pistonmoves, which pulse train is passed to the adjustable predeterminingcounter 361 operative to emit a signal upon the receipt of apredetermined number of pulses from relay 358. The pulse output ofcounter 361 may be used to energize one or more devices 362 such assolenoids, solenoids for the described valves, or switches controllingspark discharge. It is noted that the grid on sheet 357 may be replacedby one or more marks or lines at predetermined points provided along thelength of piston rod 107 at locations where it is required to effect oneof the described cycle actions for predetermined operation without needfor an adjustable controller such as a presettable predeterminingcounter.

Another means for timing the occurrence of the described auxiliaryfunctions in the operation of an intermittent shock tube as described,is illustrated in FIGS. 19a and may be employed to control suchdescribed actions as the opening and closing of inlet and exhaust valvesto admit or remove fluid relative to any of the regions of the hereindescribed apparatus, the regulation of flow of a fluid relative to thereaction chamber, the control of one or more of the described motors, orthe timing of wave generating spark discharges to augment fluid flow orother operations which need be synchronized to the oscillating wavemotion in the duct. In FIG. 19a an oscillating piston 352 is provided ina duct 350 arranged, for example, in apparatus such as illustrated ineither FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 or elsewhere herein. An actuator comprising arigid rod 366 is secured to the piston shaft 354 and is operative toclose the contacts of a limit switch 370 when the piston 352 is at apredetermined point in its travel. Said switch 370 is mounted on the endwall of duct 350. The switch 370 is provided in series circuit with anelectrical power supply 372 and an adjustable time delay relay 376 sothat switch 370 may be closed at a selected point in the oscillating gasdynamics cycle occurring in the duct 350. When switch 370 is actuated bycontact with actuator 368, a pulse is transmitted to delay relay 376.The output 377 of delay relay 376 may then be passed directly to device362 to be controlled thereby or to one or more of the mentioned valvesolenoids or servos. The actuator arm 368 is shown longitudinallyadjustable on piston rod 366 permitting switch 370 to be adjustablyclosed.

FIG. 19c shows still another means for effecting timing and control inthe operation of valves and the generation of sparks in apparatus tooccur at a precise instant during each pressure or shock wave cycleoccurring in one of the described shock tubes. In FIG. 19c timing iscontrolled and effected by the wave generated transient pressure.

A pressure sensitive gage 378 is mounted on the wall 350 of the shockduct 12 and recessed or shaped so as to offer minimum resistance to waveand fluid flow. A gage such as an electrical condenser transientpressure gage is employed which provides a change in output signal whenthe gas pressure on the face 378' of its probe or transducer elementvaries. The electrical output 378" of the gage 378 is connected to anadjustable relay 379 which may be adjusted to provide an output signalwhen the signal from gage 378 reaches a predetermined voltage. Thevoltage at which 379 produces an output signal may be adjusted toproduce a control output therefrom when a shock wave appears at and/orpasses said gage. Notations 380 and 381 refer to amplifiers in theoutput of said pressure gage. The pulse output of gage 378 is thenpassed to a variable delay line 382 which may be adjusted to provide anoutput signal at a predetermined time in the cycle which signal may beused for energizing a valve, solenoid or other servo for creating one ormore sparks in the shock tube such as by operating a servo motor or asolenoid actuated switch for discharging one or more condenser banks, orfor effecting any control or servo action associated with the transientpressure process. By adjusting the delay line, the output signaltherefrom may occur at any time interval in the cycle due to the factthat the input thereto is a function of the pressure variation and wavemotion in the apparatus. The output of delay line 382 may be passed overmultiple circuits to one or more devices such as a servo control orsolenoid 384 for operating a first of the illustrated servos, orsolenoid 386 for operating a second of the illustrated servos, to adelay-line 388 and then to a second servo or solenoid 388 for operatinganother of the illustrated valves or sparking devices 390 and to otherservos or solenoids.

Transducers other than a pressure sensitive gage and relay may also beused to trigger or control servo operations which are thus synchronizedto the pressure and wave motion in the intermittently operated wavegenerating apparatus described. For example, a photoelectric cell,scanning a light source or beam directed through a predetermined sectionof the duct or tube of FIG. 2 may be employed to detect the passage ofan intense shock wave therein. For weaker shock detection, aphotomultiplier tube device which scans the field of a Schlerein opticalsystem may be used to detect the presence of a shock wave in the shocktube by variations in the received light as the shock wave passes.

Process apparatus utilizing such devices as the wave generating duct ofFIGS. 1 or 2 or the like is illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21. In FIG. 20,a resonating wave tube 380 is mounted with the end portion 382 thereofextending into a second duct or container 384 in which is contained aliquid 386 completely or partially filling said container. Arrownotations 387 indicate the process liquid as being in motion past theend of the duct 382 which end is opened and projects below the surfaceof the liquid 386. The process liquid may also be stationary or adaptedto be intermittently flowed past the open end 383 of duct 382 andremoved from container 384 after a predetermined reaction thereon hastaken place as the result of shock waves generated in 382 whichintersect said liquid. The pressure effects of the intermittentlyproduced shock waves which intersect the liquid in tube section 382,provide a pumping action which first forces some liquid out of said tubesection 382 and during rarefaction draws it back into duct 382. Liquidfrom 384 is thus at least partly continuously replaced in tube 382 andif flow is provided by providing a pressure differential along the duct384 using a pump upstream or downstream of the section illustrated, asubstantial amount of the process liquid will be subjected to thetemperature and pressure effects of said waves. The apparatus of FIG. 20may also be operated in which the surface 386L of the liquid is alwaysbelow the end of 382 thus permitting interaction of the gas above theliquid surface and admitted through inlet 388, with the liquid incontainer 384. Other modes of operation include completely filling duct384 or partially filling it to a degree such that the liquid will neverbe driven out the end of section 383.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of apparatus for changing the chemicaland/or physical characteristics of liquids or suspensions or organismsin liquids by utilizing wave generating apparatus of the type described.The apparatus illustrated, includes means for effecting such reactionsautomatically and in accordance with a predetermined control sequencesuch that predetermined amounts of material may be predeterminatelyprocessed. In FIG. 21, a reaction chamber 392 is provided having wallsof sufficient strength and sufficiently supported to withstand theforces and shocks applied thereto during operation. Protruding into andcommunicating with the interior 393 of the chamber 392 is an open endedshock tube 390 of the type described herein. The duct 390 is shownwelded to the top wall 396 of the chamber 392 in a manner to effect afluid seal therebetween. A bracket 398 supports duct 390 on the cover.The top wall 396 is preferably secured in sealing engagement to thebottom wall 394 of the vessel 392 so that fluid contained in said vesselwill not be forced out during operation. An inlet valve 402 is securedto the top wall 396 of the vessel 392 for the admission of one or moreliquids and/or gases thereto from an inlet line or lines 404. An exhausttube 416 is welded to the vessel near the bottom portion of a sidewall.A solenoid valve 418 and pump (not shown) are used to effect the removalof liquid from the chamber, or gravity may be utilized to drawn off thereaction products.

The vessel 392 is filled to a selected level with a liquid, liquids orsolid-liquid suspensions. If the liquid is pumped through the inletvalve 402 to completely fill the chamber, then the liquid in the tube390 will always be subjected to shock waves without being substantiallydisplaced. If the resonant wave apparatus of FIG. 1 is utilized as thetube 390, then said liquid will provide means whereby shock waves willreact on and reflect off said liquid and thereafter propogatesubstantially in a manner similar to the waves propogated in a closedend tube.

For automatic operation of the apparatus of FIG. 21, a predeterminedamount of liquid or flowable solid material is admitted to the chamber392 to partly or completely fill said chamber. This may be effectedpredeterminately by operating the inlet valve while automaticallycontrolling the operation of the piston and spark generating means forcreating shock waves in duct 390. After a predetermined operating timein which shock waves are reflected off and/or partly absorbed by saidliquid to effect a predetermined chemical or physical reaction, theexhaust or drain valve 417 is opened and reaction products are removedby the exhaust pump 418 and the cycle is repeated.

A multi-circuit self-recycling timer 412 is provided in the apparatus ofFIG. 21 to operate each of the mentioned valve solenoids andservo-motors for predetermined time intervals to effect the abovedescribed actions in sequence. The timer 412 control circuits include astart control for the motor driving the piston in tube 390, a stopcontrol for the servo or solenoid operating each valve and a start andstop control for each mentioned pump motor. When actuated by signalsfrom timer 412, each of these servo devices operate the valves and otherdevices or by known means. Notation 400 refers to a motor drivingpaddles 408 in vessel 392 for circulating liquid therein during areaction cycle.

FIGS. 22 and 23 show apparatus which employs shock tubes to heat and/orcompress a fluid moving through a duct 430 to create a reaction therein.Notation 431 refers to a working section of a duct or pipe 430 throughwhich a liquid, gas or vapor is flowing. In FIG. 23 a cross sectionalview of the duct at the working section 431 is shown three shock tubes432, 434 and 436 secured to duct 430 by welding. If the shock tubes 432to 436 are mounted with their axes in a single plane (perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis of 430, and are equi-spaced at 120 degrees about430, and shock waves are generated simultaneously in each and reach thechamber 431 simultaneously, then the effect will be such that all threeshock waves simultaneously enter duct 430 and react on a predeterminedportion of the fluid therein may be made to impart extremely highpressures and temperatures to the fluid therein. If the fluid in 430 isa mixture of two or more liquids, gases, vapors or combinations of thesefluids, the effect of the high pressure and temperature of thesimultaneously appearing and collapsing shock waves may be utilized toeffect one or more particular chemical reactions between said fluids.Depending on the intensity of the shock waves, the dimension of the duct430 and the characteristics of the reaction fluid(s) in 430, highreaction temperature may be experienced by the fluid near the center ofduct 430. By utilizing two pairs of aligned and opposed shock tubes 432,the shock wave generated in each tube may be used to augment therarefaction effect in the opposite tube and generate a resonant waveeffect therein.

FIGS. 24 and 24' show plural duct configurations for wave generatingapparatus. Six auxiliary ducts 450, 452, 454, 456, 458 and 460 are shownwith their open ends connected to a larger reaction chamber 440. Thelarger chamber 440 may be a shock tube in which shock waves aregenerated in accordance with the teachings of FIGS. 1 and 2 or maymerely serve to receive waves from the auxiliary tubes connectedthereto. Chamber 440 is shown modified with a hexagonal wall tofacilitate securing the ducts 450-460 thereto. In FIG. 24', the tube 440has a necked down section 442 which is coupled to a tubular section 446of reduced diameter which may correspond in function to section 16 ofFIGS. 1 and 2. The tubes 450 to 460 may be shock tubes adapted tosimultaneously transmit shock waves to the main chamber 440 to collapseon a fluid injected therein through a nozzle or inlet valve 462 and,like the apparatus of FIGS. 22 and 23, serve to create chemical and/orphysical changes in said injected fluid prior to its entry into thesection 446. Notation 448 refers to a piston operating in section 446for augmenting wave effects in the duct or to a valve. The tubes 450 to460 may also be utilized for admitting a plurality of different fluidsinto the reaction chamber 440 by valving means or by resonant waveaction involving flow in all said tubes.

FIG. 25 shows a spherical reaction chamber 464 into which multiple shockwaves are directed, either one after the other in rapid succession orsimultaneously from multiple shock tubes 477 to 480 to sphericalchamber. Such an apparatus may be employed for reacting on a singlefluid or mixture of fluids previously disposed in said spherical chamber464 or predeterminately injected with respect to the appearance of shockwaves therein.

The reaction chamber 464 consists of an assembly of semi-spherical shellsections 466 and 468 having flanges 470 and 472 circumscribing the edgeof each and assembled face to face so as to seal said chamber to definean enclosed spherical reaction volume or zone 465 containing orterminating the illustrated piping connected thereto for the admissionand removal of working fluid and products of reaction.

The chamber illustrated in FIG. 25 employs four shock tubes 477, 478,479 and 480 of the type described. These tubes may be any suitabledesign and operation and have their exhaust ends secured flush to thespherical surface 465' of wall of the chamber. If said four tubes 477 to480 are axially aligned and welded or otherwise secured to the wall 464'of the sphere at 120 degrees to each other, normal shock waves generatedin each which simultaneously enter said chamber will definesubstantially an equilateral pyramidal configuration or volume theinside of which decreases rapidly in volume as said shock wavesconverge. The fluid within said decreasing volume is thus not onlyrapidly compressed during the time interval said shock waves are presentin the chamber 465 but is heated to a high temperature, the value ofwhich will be a function of the intensity of the shock waves, thedimension of the spherical volume and the characteristics of the fluidin the chamber.

Several modes of operation of the reaction apparatus of FIGS. 25 and 25'as well as FIGS. 26-28 are noted and include:

(a) In a first mode, the reaction apparatus operates by means ofcontinuous injection of a single working fluid or mixture of fluidsthrough a single injection nozzle 481 or nozzles and continuous removalof the products of reaction via an exhaust duct 482 positioned acrosschamber 464 from the inlet duct 481 or by means of a plurality ofoutlets while shock waves of the same intensity are generated in theshock tubes 477 to 480 at predetermined frequency and simultaneouslyenter the reaction zone 465.

(b) A second mode of operation involves the intermittent injection ofpredetermined quantities of a working fluid, or mixtures of fluidsthrough a single inlet or injector 481 or through multiple inlets or theintermittent injection of predetermined quantities of multiple fluidssuch as liquids, gases, vapors, particles or combination of thesematerials injected in mixtures or through separated inlets so as to mixwithin the chamber 464. Each of said predetermined amounts of fluids maybe injected into the zone 465 prior to the arrival of said shock wavesat said chamber 464 or caused to flow by the action of the waves. Thepressure increase in zone 465 resulting from the arrival of the shockwaves therein, and/or auxiliary suction pump means may be provided toremove the products of reaction as described, with or without the use ofan automatic valve.

(c) In a third mode of operation the shock waves introduced into thechamber 464 may be generated by means of apparatus of the type providedin FIGS. 1, 2 or 25. If the shock waves generated in all shock tubes 477to 480 are timed so as to appear simultaneously in the chamber region465 a resonating transient wave phenomenon in each of the tubes 477 to480 may be sustained. Such resonant shock wave phenomena will be furtheraugmented in another configuration in which tubes 477 to 480 arepositioned opposite and aligned with each other across the chamber 464.

The tubes 477 to 480 may be welded or otherwise secured in sealingengagement with the chamber wall 464'. Notation 473 refers to a pressureseal such as a metal O-ring or other flexible metal seal seated in achannel 473' in one of the flange mating surfaces and provided as aclosed loop. Bolts or fasteners 474 are used for clampingly engaging theflanges 470 and 472 together to effect assembly of the two half shells466 and 468. Brackets 475 and 476 are bolted to the flanges 470 and 472and are secured to upright supports 477 to 478 which are rigidly affixedto a frame or base 479 for holding the reaction apparatus in place.

FIGS. 26 to 28 show a number of assembly configurations of pressure wavegenerating apparatus of the type described involving a plurality ofshock tubes which are placed in endwise abutment and are interconnectedso that pressure or shock waves when predeterminatly generated in eachcoact on a common fluid or fluids between the ends of said tubes. InFIG. 26 tubular shock wave generator 482 is provided which comprises twoof the shock tubes of FIG. 1 in endwise abutment and communicating witheach other. The reaction apparatus comprises a first chamber 483 ofenlarged diameter having a reducing section 484 connected theretoextending to a smaller diameter section 485 which connects to anexpanding section 486 of the same shape as 484. A second chamber 487connects to the other end of section 485. It is assumed that the wavegenerating means of FIG. 1 or 2 as well as valve means as described isprovided for each of the duct sections 483 and 487.

The center section 485 of the apparatus of FIG. 26 is preferably lessthan 1/2 the diameter of the end sections and approximately one sixththe total length of the tube 482. Connected to the center section 485near or at its middle, are an inlet duct 488 for admitting fluid theretoand an exhaust duct 489 for removing fluid therefrom. By sparkingelectrodes or driving respective pistons in each of said end sections483 and 487 so that waves generated in each travel simultaneously downthe tubes towards each other and at the same rate a transient wavephenomenon is set up in each of the shock tube sections 483 and 487which causes respective shock waves to be generated in the centralreduced diameter sections which will converge towards each other andmeet at or near the center of the duct. Depending on the characteristicsof the fluid in the center section 485 and the intensity of the shockwaves generated therein, the shock waves will partly reflect off eachother and maintain the bi-directional wave motion in each half ofsection 485 and will provide a zone near the middle of section 485 thefluid of which will experience high compression forces and hightemperatures as said waves approach each other. Notation 490 refers tocooling coils for circulating a coolant around the center of section 485to help dissipate heat conducted through the gas to the walls of saidtube and, in certain situations remove some of the heat of reaction. Afluid or fluids may be injected as described at a suitable time in eachoperating cycle and may be predeterminately removed from the centralsection during each cycle or after a predetermined plurality of cycleshave caused a desired reaction to take place.

The apparatus of FIG. 27 is similar to that of FIG. 26 but is modifiednear the center of the reduced diameter section 485' at which isprovided a reaction chamber or vessel 491 communicating with the twotubes. The vessel 491 is shown as a sphere although it may be anysuitable shape, serves the function of the previously describedconfiguration.

FIG. 28 shows apparatus similar to FIG. 27 having valves 492, 493, 494and 495 respectively provided in the shock tube sections 16a and 16b,inlet line 488' and exhaust line 489' which may be operated in any ofthe described manners to serve the various functions described.

In FIG. 29 is shown a modification of the shaped shock tube reactionapparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 operative to provide further waveaugmenting effects beyond the primary chamber 12. Connected to theprimary chamber section 12 is a first reducing fitting or section 14a ofthe type described which extends to a first reduced diameter tube 16awhich extends to a second reducing section 14b extending to a furtherreduced diameter tube 16b. The oscillating wave motion set up in section12 by one of the means described induces a shock wave of higherintensity in section 16a which in turn drives the fluid in section 16bin a manner so as to create a shock wave of still higher intensitytherein.

FIGS. 30 and 31 illustrate wave generating apparatus of the typedescribed utilizing a so-called free piston internal combustion engineto generate pressure waves in tubes such as 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 30 showsthe free piston apparatus as comprising a central engine block 520containing a free piston assembly and auxiliary apparatus having shocktubes 12a' and 12b' of the type illustrated mounted aligned with saidblock at opposite ends thereof. If reduced diameter chambers 16a' and16b' are provided and are respectively secured to the tubes 12, shockwaves of high intensity may be generated in each by the operation of theengine which may be used to perform any of the described processfunctions in any of the illustrated configurations or other combinationsof the described apparatus components.

FIG. 31 is a section taken through the longitudinal axis of the block520 and shows components of the free piston engine which include adouble headed piston assembly 526 having a first piston 528 connected bya rigid rod 523 of smaller diameter to a second piston 530. The pistons528 and 530 are each operative to oscillate in respective chambers 529and 533 of block 520 while the rod 532 slidably engages in a bore in acentrally located block 538 separating the chambers 529 and 533.

Fuel is admitted to the volumes 529 and 533 defined by each piston andthe block 520 through respective injection nozzles 544 and 546 at ornear the end of the compression stroke and may be ignited byconventional spark ignition means triggered by motion of said pistonassembly or by compression ignition means. Notation 542 refers to sparkplugs or so-called glow plugs which may be used to start or maintainignition of the fuel during each cycle. The explosion action on the face535 of each piston drives the assembly in one direction whereby thevolume containing the burning gas expands until exhaust ports arecleared by the piston permitting the hot expanding gases to escapethrough a manifold 522. The manifolds 522 and 524 (one or more for eachcombustion chamber) may also be shock tubes utilized for process work ofthe type described or may be connected to drive a gas turbine foroperating the illustrated or other auxiliary apparatus. The smooth bore520' of each chamber extends to the ends of the block 520 where shocktubes 12a' and 12b' are bolted thereto. Oscillation of the pistonassembly thus alternately creates a pressure wave in each duct which, ifit is not a shock wave, may be amplified to become one by shaping thetube as illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 32 shows apparatus for dispensing a fluid such as a liquid as anatomized spray by means of high pressure or shock waves. Variousatomizing functions may be performed at high efficiency utilizing theapparatus of FIG. 32. Such functions as fuel and process mixing oratomization of liquids, the spraying of paints, carbeuration, fuelinjection, etc. may be performed by apparatus of the type illustrated inFIG. 32 and the wave generating means provided therein.

The atomizing and mixing apparatus of FIG. 32 comprises a duct 560 inwhich intermittent shock waves are generated and travel towards an endof said duct which is closed off by a porous plug or plate 564 throughwhich a liquid or gas is made to flow. A smaller duct 566 for theadmission of said liquid terminates at a fitting 567 which is threadedor welded over a hole in the wall 561 of duct 560 which is aligned witha hole 564 provided through porous plug 564. Shock waves SW strike theinside surface of plug after forcing fluid in the duct to flow throughsaid plug 564 and cause the liquid in said plug to be forced through thepores or capillaries in said plug and eject as a spray from the othersurface 565 thereof. The shock waves also transfer heat to said porousplate thus heating said liquid and enhancing the atomizing action.

The apparatus of FIG. 33 provides means for continuously processing anelongated solid member such as a bar, rod, sheet or tube by subjectingat least part of the surface of said member to intermittent shock wavesdirected thereagainst while said member 582 is held or driven through insaid apparatus. The apparatus comprises a shock tube, a portion of whichis shown in cross section in FIG. 33, for generating and directingmultiple shock waves against an elongated solid member 582 shownpenetrating the end of tube 570 by passing through two gates 583 and 584which sealingly engage the surface(s) of member 583. The gates 583 and584 preferably comprise a pair of sealing pads or washers each having anopening of smaller area and shape than the cross section of the member582 and each secured in a respective opening in the shock tube 570 andaligned across the walls thereof so that the member 582 will be held ina sealing manner yet will be capable of movement continuously throughsaid tube while shock waves are generated therein.

In FIG. 33, the end wall of the shock tube 570 is made of a heavy blockor plate of suitable metal or ceramic material which may be bolted orotherwise secured to the flanged end section 571 of the tube 570. Afitting 574 is secured and centrally mounted on plate 572 which may be avalve terminating a piping system for ducting either intermittently orcontinuously a fluid such as a liquid, gas or particles through anopening 573 therein. Other openings 578 and 589 which also terminate afluid supply system are provided to supply the same or a different fluidto chamber 571. A single fluid or fluent solid material or multiplematerials may thus be injected continuously or intermittently andsynchronized to the generation of shock waves in chamber 571 to bedirected against and coat, abrade, chemically react with, etch, erode orshape the material of member 582 as it is positioned within,intermittently or continuously driven through said shock tube by anysuitable drive means. Powered rollers, for example, may be used tofrictionally engage opposite surfaces of member 582 and drive it throughchamber 571 at a predetermined speed.

If the member 582 is a circular rod, the gates 583 and 584 arepreferably conventional sliding shaft seals. If 582 is a sheet, plate orbar, said seals 583 and 584 may be sliding seals of the desired shapeemploying one or more flexible pads with an opening therein shaped toengage all the surfaces of the member 582. In another embodiment, theend of the tube 570 may be made in two sections adapted to separate andclose in sealing engagement against member 582. The upper section ofreaction chamber or shock tube 570 may be separated from the lower endas shown in FIG. 34 by use of a rack gear 596 secured to the wall of570', which may be raised and lowered by a motor driven pinion 598. Themotor driving pinion 598 may be operated to raise 570 sufficiently topermit the member 582 to be moved a sufficient degree to expose a newlength of 582 to the shock waves generated in 570' after the previouswave action has been completed on the prior length.

Various physical and chemical functions may be performed on member 582as it remains in or is driven through the shock tube 570, viz:

(a) The surface of member 582 may be worked and/or heated by themultiple shock waves SW travelling along tube 570 and intersecting saidsurface. Such action may serve to heat the surface of member 582, heattreating or working same.

(b) The driving or working gas already in tube 570 may, by virtue of theeffects of the shock waves generated in 570, react with the metal ormaterial of member 582 to cure a coating applied to said surface or tochemically react therewith to improve its characteristics. The member582 may act as a catalyst in a chemical reaction involving the fluid induct 570.

(c) Liquids or solids such as particles may be injected into the chamberend 571 through nozzles 578 and 580 during the shock wave generation tochemically react with member 582 and/or fluids disposed therein orcoated on the surface of member 582.

(d) Abrasive particles or surface working elements may be injectedthrough inlet nozzles 578 to erode or work the surface of member 582.

(e) Combustible materials may be injected through nozzles 578 to furtherimprove or predeterminately affect the action of the shock wavesgenerated in 570.

Notation 574 refers to a multiple valve mounted on the end wall 572 ofchamber 570 for controlling the admission and/or removal of reactionproducts admitted to chamber 571.

In FIG. 34, apparatus similar to that provided in FIG. 33 is applicablefor effecting reaction kinetics involving shock waves operating on asurface or on materials or articles disposed on said surface. Suchpositioning device comprises, in FIG. 33 a rigid flight 586 of aconveyor. It may also comprise a belt such as a closed loop belt of abelt conveyor. Notation 586' refers to a rigidly supported table orbucking plate positioned in alignment with a movable shock tube 570' theend of which may be abutted against member 586 with sufficient force toeffect a fluid tight seal therewith.

The articles 582a or otherwise provided material to be subjected to theintermittent shock wave action are conveyed by device 570' to a positionbelow the end of the retracted tube 570', whereafter said tube isbrought into abuttment with the upper surface of member 586 by theoperation of motor 585" driving pinion gear 585' which is coupled tomove rack 585 up and down. After a predetermined amount of exposure ofthe material or articles 582a disposed on member 586 to thepressure-temperature effects of the shock waves and in certain instancesto the fluid or particulated material injected during the generation ofsaid shock waves, the wave motion is stopped and the tube 570' is raisedto permit movement of the conveyor to remove the so-treated material andits replacement with another material beneath the end of the shock tube.The apparatus may be automatically controlled by automaticallypositioning material or articles on conveyor 586 and automaticallystarting and stopping the motor (not shown) which drives belt orconveyor 586.

FIG. 35 shows processing apparatus operative in a manner similar to thatof the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 save that other means are provided forexposing different surfaces of an article or articles to the directforce of shock waves generated intermittently in a shock tube 32thereof, whereas in FIG. 33, a work member 582 was driven continuouslythrough a reaction chamber in the working end of the tube, in FIG. 35the article is placed on a movable plate or piston 593' and vibrated ortumbled to different attitudes or positions while high intensitypressure waves are generated in the chamber 571 and directed to strikesaid articles or material.

Conveying means for transferring material or articles to be treated inthe working region 571a of the chamber or tube 570' in and out of saidchamber are also provided and comprise a conveyor 590 which isillustrated as a motor driven belt and transfer apparatus 587 forpushing an article, articles or material off the end of the conveyor 590through an opening at one side of said chamber 570' when a door 585a isopen and for transferring same out of said chamber after a reaction orprocessing has been completed and a second door 585b in the other wallof the chamber is opened.

The reaction chamber comprises an elongated vessel or shock tube 570'having an end flange 611 which is bolted to a base plate 592a with acircumscribing sealing ring 590 disposed therebetween. A piston 593'having one or more piston rings 593a, slidably engages in the bore ofchamber 570' and may be urged in short stroke movement up and down orlongitudinally in the diameter by a lineal motor or hydraulic cylinder593, the shaft 593b of which is secured to the piston 593'. The cylinder593' is secured below to the base 592 supporting the base plate 592a andthe chamber 570'. The piston 593' with articles or material thereon, maybe raised or lowered a brief distance in intermittent and rapid mannerby actuation of the lineal actuator 593 in a manner to cause articlesthereon to bounce and/or shift position or attitude. By such tumbling orbouncing action, the various sides or surfaces of articles introducedinto chamber 570' may be exposed to the direct effects of the pressureor shock waves generated within the chamber and if articles or particlesare provided or layers, those underneath others will be vibrated to thesurface with time thus providing means for exposing all of the materialor articles to the direct effects of the shock waves.

The apparatus of FIG. 35 may be operated with all of the illustratedservo devices automatically controlled to operate at predetermined timeintervals in a predetermined cycle by a multi-circuit cycle timer orother suitable automatic controller. The opposed doors 585a and 585b areopened by respective air or hydraulic cylinders 586a and 586b which areshown mounted on respective frames 586c and 586d secured to the walls ofthe chamber 570'. The doors 585a and 585b are pivotally mounted onhinges 595 secured to the walls of 570'. The shafts 596 of the doorcylinders are provided with pins 597 which ride in slots 598' inbrackets 598 permitting said doors to be pivoted when said cylindersretract. The forward thrust of the cylinders 586a and 586b may be usedto effect a clamping seal between the doors and the openings in thechamber wall in which they nest. Notation 599 refers to fluid pressureseals provided secured to the doors which bear against the hatchwaysthey nest in.

The transfer device 587 comprises a first air cylinder 589 which ismovable on a trackway 588" by a second cylinder 588 secured to theframing 600 supporting the chamber, from a position above the conveyor590 to the position shown whereby a blade 589' secured to the shaft ofthe ram of said cylinder 589 engages the top of conveyor 590. Byprojecting the blade 589' it can be used to push articles or material onthe end of conveyor 590 through the open doorway in 570' into saidchamber. At the end of the reaction cycle, the cylinder 586a

FIG. 36 is a partly sectioned partial view of apparatus for shapingmetal sheet or plate by means of multiple, intermittently produced shockwaves. By clamping sheet material such as metal or plastic sheet in adie having a cavity protrusion or otherwise shaped portion disposedadjacent a first face of said sheet, and directing high intensitypressure waves such as shock waves against the other face of said sheet,the forces due to the intense pressure shock waves directed against theunsupported portionof the sheet and/or the intense head of the shockwaves intersecting said sheet, may be operative to cause said sheet todeform against and conform to the walls of said die cavity orprotrusion. Depending on the intensity of the shock waves, the sheet maybe gradually or rapidly worked by each successive wave directedthereagainst to force said sheet to conform to the forming section ofthe die. Materials normally difficult to form by conventional pressmeans may be so worked.

FIG. 36 shows details of fluid pressure forming apparatus 10 whichcomprises a reaction chamber 12 which may comprise or terminate a shocktube in which intermittent shock waves are generated by any suitablemeans such as the arcing of high intensity electrical sparks dischargedacross said chamber intermittent explosions generated therein bychemical or electrical means, etc. Reaction chamber 12 may also beprovided in any suitable configuration or shape of chamber having meansfor generating shock waves of a desired intensity. Such waves orpressure pulses may be generated singly or in rapid succession asdescribed. The chamber or tube 12 is provided with means 14 for raisingand lowering said chamber against a bed 13 comprising a rigid platen orbrench 15 in which is secured a die 16 shown having a cavity 17 intowhich a member 18 such as a sheet of metal is to be deformed by pressureand heat applied to one face thereof. The cavity 17 may be replaced witha flat platen if it is desired to work the surface of the member 18 suchas in flattening or straightening said member, heat treating orwork-hardening same. It is noted that by placing material such as metalpowders or abrasive grit particles on the surface of member 18 they maybe worked into or bonded onto said surface or operate to abrade saidsurface by the action of the shock waves thereon. A steel die (notshown) placed on said member 18 and free to move towards the die 16 mayalso be urged by the impact pressure of the pressure or shock wavesgenerated in chamber 12 to shape or penetrate the surface of sheet 18.Such a die may be slidably engaged in the bore of chamber 12 or onsliding guides therein and may, when impacted by the shock wavesgenerated in chamber 12 coact with the die 16 to shape or cut the sheet18. Means for raising and lowering the chamber 12 is provided andcomprises at least two hydraulic or air cylinders 20 and 21 which aresupported on the frame 19 of the press, the rams 22 and 23 of whichcylinders engage a flange 22 of the chamber 12 and preferably areattached thereto for assisting in raising as well as lowering thechamber 12 and forcing its lower rim into clamping engagement againstthe press bed and/or work 18. In FIG. 36 a circumscribing ridge-likeprotrusion or lip 23 projects from the open end-face 12' of the chamberand is adapted to be forced against the sheet 18 to effect a fluidpressure seal therewith. The lip or ring shaped rim 23 may be replacedby a sealing ring such as a metal seal or o-ring to effect such acircumscribing pressure seal. Upon clamping engagement of the flange 12'of the chamber 12 against the press bed 15, shock waves may be procuedsuch as by exploding chemicals in said chamber 12 to effect the desiredwork forming, coating or cutting action on the member 18.

If work member 18 is metal or other thermoplastic material, it is notedthat by producing a plurality of intermittent shock waves in the chamber12 of FIG. 36, sufficient heat from said shock waves may be transferredthereto to raise its temperature a degree whereby it will becomesoftened or rendered mallelable and more easily workable by the forcesof the subsequent pressure or shock waves directed thereagainst. Thedegree of softening or increase in workability will be a function of theintensity of the shock waves generated, their frequency of appearance atthe surface of member 18 and the physical characteristics as well asdimensions of the material 18 being worked or formed. By producing fluidpressure in excess of 10 p.s.i. shock waves of an intensity greater thanMach 2 and at a frequency in excess of 25 per second, most plastic orthin metal non-ferrous sheets may be formed or worked as described. Asthe intensity and frequency of the shock waves are increased, the timerequired to work the member 18 will be decreased. Many materials noteasily formed or worked by conventional means may be formed using fluidpressures or shock waves in excess of Mach 3 produced at frequencies inexcess of 50 per second.

Notation 25 refers to one or more conduit or nozzle inlet meansconnected to the shock tube 12 for blowing or otherwise injecting afluid or flowable particles into said tube and/or against the surface ofthe sheet or plate 18 while the shock waves are directed thereagainst.The heat and/or pressure of said shock waves may be used in coactionwith the fluid or material injected throughconduit 25 to effect one ormore physical and/or chemical reactions on member 18. Material injectedthrough duct 25 may be used to perform one or more of the functions ofabrading or roughening the surface of the work, coating or cladding saidsurface (which may or may not have been previously abraded by saidaction) with a protective coating or other material per se or during andin coaction with the forming action, effecting a chemical or physicalreaction on said member 18 such as softening or cleaning said surface,etching or other chemical reaction which occurs with and is enhanced bysaid shock waves directed thereagainst. In certain of these fabricationor processing actions, the die 16 may be replaced by a flat platen andthe rest of the illustrated structure may remain for merely processingsheets, plates or other shaped solids with shock waves and chemicalswhile said shapes are held stationary.

FIG. 37 shows in section details of apparatus for operating with shockwaves on the major surface area of an article, only part of which isordinarily exposed to said shock waves at a time. A shock tube 620 isprovided the far end or working zone of which is illustrated as having amount 627 secured to the end wall 625 which is secured normal to thelongitudinal axis of the duct 620. The fixture 627 includes bearingmeans 628 for supporting a shaft 629 within the duct 620 on which thework 630 is mounted for rotation during or between the generation ofshock waves in said tube. Flanges 631 of the fixture 627 may be boltedto the end plate 625 permitting it to be removed for repair or cleaning.A second shaft 632 passes through a rotary seal 633 in the end wall 625and is coupled to shaft 629. Said shaft 632 may be coupled by anenclosed gear box to 629 or the latter may pass through a rotary seal inthe side wall of 620. A motor 634 coupled to 632 drives the internallymounted shaft 629 and may be used to rotate the work 630 which may beclamped, bolted or otherwise secured to shaft 629 or to a fixture or ina cage rotationally secured to the fixture 627 and rotated when theshaft 629 rotates.

A door 626 is hinged to the side wall of 620 and is provided as anaccess to the working region of th shock duct for removing the work 630and placing new work in the fixture. The door 626 is preferably providedwith sealing means and a clamp 626'. Any of the heretofore describedoperations may be performed on the work 630 using shock waves. Thenumerals 622 and 624 refer to nozzles secured to the sidewalls of 620for injecting fluid(s) and/or abrasive grit or coating material such aspoint into the chamber 620 while shock waves are striking the work 630.It is noted that, the heat as well as the pressure of the multiple shockwaves striking the surface of the work 630 as solid or liquid materialejected from the nozzles 622 and 624 may coact to perform such functionsas (a) condition the surface of 630 for abrading, cleaning or etchingaction, (b) effect the material ejected from the nozzles 624 and 624'and/or the surface of 630 in such a manner as to improve its adherenceto said surface. A so-called baked on finish such as accomplished byapplying radiant heat to a painted surface may thus be effected withshock waves. The heat and mechanical energy of the waves may thus beused to physically and chemically change the structure of a coatingmaterial or catalyst sprayed against 630 as said waves intermittentlystrike said surface. It is noted that the fixture 627 of FIG. 36 maycomprise a shaft of frame on a shaft supported and adapted to rotate onbearing supported by the side walls 621 and 621' of the shock tube 620.

FIG. 38 shows apparatus similar to that of FIG. 34 for subjecting thesurface of a work member 646 to shock waves for processing, cleaning orcoating purposes as described. The work member 646 of FIG. 38 has anexterior or workable surface larger than the cross-section of the end ofthe shock tube 640. The apparatus is utilizable where it is only desiredto subject part of the surface of an object to the effects of shockwaves or to selectively work or subject the surface to said shock waveeffects. The tube 640 may be portable and a handle 645 may be providedfor positioning and/or holding said tube end 641 in abutment against646. The end 641 of said duct may comprise a resilient bell or ringshaped washer secured to the end of the tube 640 for effecting a sealingengagement with the work 646 should the latter be a little irregular orrough in shape. An inlet valve or pipe 642 may be used to inject acleaning fluid or abrasive or other chemical into the tube 640 to actand be carried against the surface of the work by the shock wavesgenerated therein. The numeral 644 refers to an exhaust line forremoving material injected or admitted through 642.

FIG. 39 is a view of a modified piston design in cross-section wherebymeans are provided for the generation of a spark near the face of thepiston. Said spark may be used to create shock wave phenomena which willaugment the pressure wave generated as a result of the motion of thepiston provided that said spark is generated at the proper instant inthe cycle.

The piston assembly 106a has a longitudinal bore therethrough in which arod shaped or tubular insulation 670 is secured. The insulator,preferably made of a plastic such as a fluorocarbon, or a ceramic suchas the type used in spark plug design, houses and supports twoelectrodes 672 and 674 in spaced apart relation as shown. The ends ofthe electrodes which project from the face of the piston 106' providethe gap across which the spark may jump. A single electrode may also beutilized with the spark jumping therefrom to the piston face which wouldbe ground. A moving electrical coupling is provided with said electrodescomprising housing 676 in line with the end of the push rod 107' of thepiston. The housing 676 is preferably made of an electrical insulatingmaterial such as a ceramic insulator or a plastic such as Teflon. Theelectrodes 672 and 674 project from the end of piston rod and penetratethe housing 676 through two holes which said electrodes slidably andsealingly engage therein. The ends of said electrodes slide back andforth in said holes through respective cavities 680 and 682 therein.Filling each of said cavities 680 and 682 is a quantity of liquidmercury which makes electrical contact with each electrode and arespective pin conductor 684 secured to said housing. Each of said pins684 terminates a common electrical circuit which includes a source ofhigh voltage current and means for discharging said current through oneof said electrodes across said gap at the facae of said piston.

Modifications to the apparatus of FIGS. 35 to 38 are noted as follows:

(a) The working fluid medium may comprise either a gas or a liquid inwhich shock waves are generated intermittently as described by sparkdischarge or chemical explosion means. The gas or liquid may be flowedinto the respective reaction chambers prior to each, working cycle afterthe chamber is closed and sealed and removed therefrom after completionof shock wave reaction on the work which may be admitted to the chamberas descriped. The flow of working fluid into and out of the chamber maybe automatically controlled by means of an automatic controller orcomputer which also controls the means opening and closing the reactionchamber and the means generating shock waves.

(b) An intense radiation beam such as generated by a laser may begenerated within the reaction chamber by a laser disposed therein ordirected through a window or small opening in the chamber wall or aplurality of such beams may be so directed at sufficient intensity togenerate one or more shock waves which travel and operate as describedthroughout the specification.

(c) In forming sheet or plate metal and other materials by shock wavesas described in FIG. 36 gas such as air may be evacuated from the diecavity prior to forcing the sheet into said cavity to facilitate theformation thereof. Notation 610a refers to an opening in the die wallwhich extends from a passageway to which is connected a line extendingfrom a vacuum pump through a controlled valve, for evacuating fluid fromthe die.

FIG. 40 illustrates an apparatus 800 for generating and amplifying shockwaves by electrical discharge means and applicable to the hereinbeforedescribed forms of the invention . The plural shock wave generatingapparatus comprises an elongated duct 801 shown having a constant crosssection but which may have any suitable configuration which will performa desired function including that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Notation 802refers to the head end wall of duct 801 shown as semi-spherical ofelliptical in shape. Near said end wall 802 are mounted a pair ofelectrodes 804 and 806 secured to the wall of the duct diametricallyopposite each other across said duct and at a predetermined spacingwhich in FIG. 40 comprises substantially the inside diameter of saidduct so that the ends of said electrodes do not protrude beyond theinside surface of the wall of said duct. In certain forms of theinvention, the electrodes may project into the working volume 801'defined by duct 801. If the duct 801 is made of a non-conductingmaterial such as glass or other suitable ceramic or is metal which islined or coated on the inside with a non-conducting or insulatingmaterial in the region of the electrodes 804 and 806, the generation ofsufficient electrical potential at the positive electrode 804 will causean intense spark to discharge across the interior volume 801' of theduct to the grounded electrode 806. Notations 803 and 805 refer toinsulated mounts for the electrodes 804 and 806 which may be ceramicinsulators secured to holes bored in the walls of the duct by ceramiccement or other means.

The generation of a spark between the electrodes 804 and 806 will causea shock wave to form, part of which wave will travel down the tube 801with a portion of the wave reflecting off the wall of the end wall 802.Downstream of the first pair of electrodes, 804 and 806, is situated asecond pair of electrodes 812 and 814 also disposed on diametricallyopposite portions of the wall of duct 801. If a spark is caused to jumpacross the second pair of electrodes just as a shock wave generatedacross the first electrode pair passes, said second spark may be used toenhance or amplify the shock wave formed by said spark arced across saidfirst pair of electrodes. One or more additional pairs of electrodes maybe provided farther down the tube to further amplify the shock wavegenerated by the first pair of electrodes if they are discharged intimed relationship to spark generation at each of the other electrodes.

In FIG. 40 means are provided for effecting synchronization of the sparkgeneration across the illustrated pairs of electrodes 804, 806 and 812,814 which means is also applicable to any number of electrodes. A source822 of high voltage electrical energy is provided and is electricallyconnected in series to each of the electrodes 802 and 812, through amulti-position switch 820 which may comprise a beam switching tube or arotary electro-mechanical switch driven by a motor. As the switch 820operates to connect its input from voltage sources 822 with variousoutputs thereof extending to respective electrodes situated acrossdifferent portions of the duct 801, high voltage energy is generatedconstantly or as a series of pulses at the output 824 of source 822. Bycontrolling the rotation or switching rate of the switch 820, highintensity arcing or sparks may be made to jump the respective gapsacross the tube and electrode pairs at the desired instant, so that theshock wave first generated at the first pair of electrodes nearest theend wall 802 will be amplified or continue undiminished in intensity asit travels down the tube 801. By controlling the intensity of the sparksand the timing in accordance with the geometry of the interior of theshock tube, 801, resonant wave effects may be effected as in FIG. 1 toobtain wave amplification. It is noted that the tube 801 may have avariety of shapes including that of a hollow torroid or endless tunnelwhereby a great degree of wave amplification may be obtained by causingthe wave to travel many times around the tube as properly timed sparkscontinue to amplify the originally generated shock wave to increase itsintensity.

Intense radiation means such as the beam generated by a laser or aplurality of lasers operating simultaneously or in synchronism, may beemployed as a supplement to or replacement for the described sparkgenerating electrodes of FIG. 40 as well as FIGS. 41 to 44 and the abovedescribed torroidal or endless tunnel reaction chamber. An intense lightbeam or electron beam may, for example, be directed centrally down thevolume 801' defined by chamber 801 to generate a shock wave therein forthe purposes hereinbefore described. The laser generating same may becontrolled in its operation to pulse the beam to intermittently generateshock waves as hereinbefore described which create an augmented waveeffect for amplifying said shock waves. Or the lasers, mounted exteriorof the shock chamber 801 may direct their beams at different anglesthrough windows, valves or small openings in the wall of chamber 801 soas to intersect within the chamber to generate intense pressure and heatin a confined or limited volume for generating one or more shock waveswhich predeterminately propagate along the chamber and amplify eachother. In FIG. 40 the laser or intense electron beam may be directedalong inlet pipe 807 while the valve 808 is open whereafter the valveimmediately closes confining the resulting explosion or pressure rise tothe chamber volume 801'. In other words, the laser may be pulsed insynchronism with the opening and closing of the valve 808 so as to bothaugment and create an amplified shock wave effect in the chamber andprevent backflow of gas through the inlet tube. Both intense laser lightbeams and sparks as well as reactant material(s) may be controlled intheir generation and flow by a single computer or master controller asprovided in FIG. 40.

Further details of the apparatus 800 of FIG. 40 include an inlet nozzle807' through which one or more working or reactant fluids are admittedto the volume 801' defined by the shock tube 801. A value 808communicates with the inlet nozzle 807' and is made in accordance withone of the hereinabove described valve structures. Said valve 808 isdriven by a motor 809 to predeterminately admit fluid, preferably in apulsed fashion, from line 807 which connects to a pressurized source ofsaid fluid.

The described stepping switch 820 is shown driven by a variable speedcontrolled motor 817 of the output shaft 818 of which is connected tothe shaft rotating the wiper means 820a of the rotary switch 820. Asuitable brush element 821 connects the wiper means 820a with the output824 of the source 822 of high voltage. The motor 817 is predeterminatelycontrolled in speed by a conventional speed control unit 819 and thevalve motor 809 is similarly controlled by a second speed control unit810. A master controller such as a multi-circuit predetermining timer orcomputer 811 generates signals on a plurality of the outputs thereofwhich are used to set or control speed controllers 810 and 819 and acontrol 823 for the source 822 of high voltage. A feedback signal isgenerated by a scanning means 816 which includes a Schlerein opticalsystem for detecting the passage of shock waves along a predeterminedportion of the shock tube 801 scanned thereby and the notation 815refers to part of said system including a light source and optical meansfor generating an image of the shock wave at the scanning means 816, thelatter being operative to generate a variable signal which it feeds tothe master controller 811 for controlling the other variables describedwhich includes the timing of the injection of input fluids and thetiming of the generation of shock waves within the volume 801'.

Timed and synchronized control of the described laser, lasers orelectron beam generators may be effected as described above by employinga scanning means for detecting the shock waves or inlet materialoperative to generate a control signal and applying said control signalto control the operation of one or more lasers or electron guns.

In the hereinbefore described torroidal chamber arrangement wherein oneor more lasers or electron guns are employed per se or in cooperationwith spark generating means for generating shock waves which travel acircular or otherwise directed endless path, said one or more lasers orelectron guns may be supported outside of such torroidal chamber andoperative to direct their beams tangentially through small openings,windows or valves in the chamber walls so as to generate shock waveswhich travel the circular or endless path and so timed by the pulsedbeams as to augment previously generated shock waves during each passthereof in which a new shock wave is generated therewith or therebehindsuch as to greatly increase the intensity of the travelling wave as itrepeatedy circles the shock tube or circular chamber until apredetermined intensity is attained. Upon attainment of such apredetermined intensity the shock wave generating means may beterminated and the matter removed from the chamber or a predeterminedquantity of matter may be injected into the chamber to be reacted onthereby. Such matter may include particles or tritium or deuteriumoperable for creating a controlled thermonuclear reaction within thechamber. Power driven valves may also be employed to allow passage ofthe intense beams through the walls of the chamber while preventingbackflow of fluid therein by closure and opening of the valves asdescribed.

In FIG 41 is shown a modified form of the shock wave generating andreaction apparatus of FIG. 40. Whereas in FIG. 40, electrodes weredisposed across diametrically opposite portions of the substantiallyconstant diameter shock tube, in FIG. 41, the head end of the shock tubenecks down to a reduced diameter portion 830 which is joined to the mainduct portion 831 which corresponds to the duct 801 of FIG. 40. Anexpanding portion 831' of substantially smooth contour joins the neckeddown head end portion 830 with the main duct 831 and supports a pair ofinsulated electrodes 804 and 806 which are operatively connected to acircuit including means for generating sufficient electrical potentialtherebetween to cause intense spark generation across the gas volumedefined between said electrodes by the head end portion 831. Notation832 refers to insulating means disposed about the electrodes 804 and 806and preferably provided as an annular ring of insulation materialdefining the complete wall of a portion of the duct 830 in the vicinityof the electrodes so as to prevent potential loss or discharge from thepositive electrode 804 to the wall of the shock tube.

Shock waves generated by discharging sparks across the electrodes 804and 806 travel through the expanding portion 830' and into the volumedefined by the main portion 831 of the tube down which said shock wavestravel and react on material disposed therein or adjacent the endthereof as hereinbefore described.

Also shown in FIG. 41 is a valve 833 made in accordance with thehereinabove teaching and driven by a solenoid or motor 834 for injectingone or more fluids into the duct section 830, preferably as a series offluid pulses generated in timed relationship to the sparks generatedacross the electrodes 804 and 806. Notations 835 and 836 refer to aplurality of inlet tubes operatively connected to the valve 833 forrespectively admitting different fluids thereto and into the ductthrough the valve exhaust ports 833'. Either or both the fluids soadmitted may be in one or more states including gases, vapors, liquidsor particulate material operative to take part in the reaction, serve asa catalyst or be expelled from the end of duct 831 at high velocity asdescribed.

FIG. 42 illustrates a modified form of the apparatus of FIG. 40 whereina plurality of pairs of electrodes, two of which pairs are denoted inFIG. 42 by the notations 844, 845 and 844', 845' each disposed withinrespective sub-chambers 841 and 842 formed as cavities extendingoutwardly from the main wall 840 of the shock tube. Notation 843 refersto fluid inlet ducts communicating with the sub-chambers 842 and 843 forinjecting one or more fluids therein to be carried into the main volumeof the shock tube and to react as a result of spark discharge and shockwaves generated by the electrodes which are insulatedly disposed withineach sub-chamber.

In FIG. 43 is shown a modified form of reaction apparatus 850 havingfeatures as described. A reaction chamber 851 is provided which issubstantially spherical or cylindrical in shape and has disposed acrossdiametrically opposite portions thereof a plurality of pairs ofelectrodes, said pairs being defined by notations 854a, 854c and 854b,854d. High potential electrical energy generated at one or more of saidelectrodes may be caused to arc completely across the reaction chambervolume 851' and/or to any of the other electrodes by controlling thepotential of said electrodes. For example, assuming that it is desiredto initiate an intense electrical spark at electrode 854a and to causesame to travel completely across volume 851' to electrode 854c withoutgrounding to the closer electrodes 854b and 854d. Electrodes 854b and854d may be charged so as to maintain both sufficiently positive duringthe timing desired to generate a spark across electrodes 854a and 854cto prevent the spark from arcing to either of the other electrodes. Amodified form of the potential generating means provided in theapparatus of FIG. 40 may be employed to controllably build up potentialon one or more of the electrodes of the apparatus of FIG. 43 to providesequential arcing or spark discharge between any two or more pairs ofelectrodes thereof at any suitable frequency to react on one or morefluids such as gases, vapors, particulate material or liquids admittedto volume 851' through an inlet pipe 855 and an automatically controlledvalve 856 disposed between 855 and an opening 852 in the wall of thereaction chamber 851.

Operatin of the reaction apparatus of FIG. 43 may be effected in one ormore manners such as the following:

(a) Sparks may be alternately discharged across pairs of electrodesdiametrically disposed at opposite wall portions of the reaction chamber851 with the frequency of discharge being either at a constant rate orat any predetermined rate depending on the type of reaction desired.

(b) Sparks may be predeterminately generated from one electrode to aplurality of other electrodes either simultaneously or in any desiredsequence and that a controlled constant frequency or predeterminedvariable frequency and intensity.

(c) Sparks may be discharged across diametrically opposite electrodesand adjacent electrodes in predetermined sequence.

In FIG. 43, notation 857 refers to an exhaust duct connected to anopening 853 on the wall of the reaction chamber 851 to a valve 858which, like valve 856, is preferably predeterminately controlled in itsoperation to remove the products of reaction either during eachspark-generating cycle or after a predetermined number of cycles.

FIG. 44 shows a modified form of the reaction chamber of FIG. 43 whereina plurality of electrodes 866a, 866b, 866c and 866d are each supportedat adjacent portions of the spherical or cylindrical reaction chamber861 and are each operative to be predeterminately fed into or adjacentthe wall of the reaction chamber by respective servo motor drive means867 to account for the erosion or consummation of said electrodes duringthe reaction process. The reaction apparatus 860 includes an inlet duct864 and an exhaust duct 865 for respectively admitting reactant fluidsand receiving the products of reaction as described. Valve means, notshown, in FIG. 44 may be disposed in the lines 864 and 865, asdescribed.

FIG. 45 illustrates a modified form of the reaction chambers of FIGS. 43and 44 and includes an apparatus 870 having a substantially spherical orcylindrical reaction chamber 871 which has a plurality of pairs ofsub-chambers 876 extending outwardly from the main chamber 871 atdiametrically opposite portions of the main chamber. Pairs of electrodesdefined by notations 877 and 878 are insulatedly mounted within eachsub-chamber for generating intense sparks therein which create shockwaves which travel outwardly into the main chamber for reacting onfluids injected therein through plural inlet lines 872 and 874. If theshock waves so generated are generated simultaneously by simultaneouslyarcing the electrode pass, said shock waves may converge on the centralportion of the volume 871' defined by chamber 871 and substantiallycompress and react on fluid disposed therein. Notations 873 and 875refer to exhaust ducts disposed respectively opposite inlet ducts 872and 874 for receiving fluids admitted to the reaction chamber 871 afterthey have been inacted on by the shock waves generated therein.

The reaction chambers of which the embodiments of FIGS. 41 to 45 form atleast part of may be operable to have shock waves created and augmentedtherein by the described electron gun or laser means generating intenseradiation beams which are directed through or across same. For example,the electrodes 844 and 844' of FIG. 42 may be replaced by small tubes orvalves through which pulsed intense laser light beams may be directedinto chamber 840 for generating a shock wave or waves which travel asdescribed down the tube. The electrodes of FIGS. 43 to 45 may bereplaced by windows, small openings in the walls or vales operable asdescribed to permit the entry of laser or electron beams into thechambers from a plurality of directions which converge on each otherwithin the chambers and generate shock waves which operate on matterinjected as described and in the manners described in FIGS. 43 to 45 orin FIG. 25 Or the intense laser or electron beams may cooperate with thedescribed intense spark generating means to generate cooperating shockwaves within the chambers of FIGS. 43 to 45.

In yet another form of the instant invention, the described mechanicallydriven pistons may be replaced by one or more free pistons which areoperable to travel either back and forth in a cylindrical bore driven byexplosions and/or shock waves generated in the adjacent fluid by themeans described herein or to travel in an endless path in an endlessbore such as a torroidal bore or reaction chamber wherein timed chemicalexplosions, shockwaves and/or electro-magnetic field means are employedto drive said piston or pistons at high velocity about said endlesspath. For example, respective free pistons may be disposed in thecylinders 483 and 487 of the apparatus of FIGS. 26,27 and 28 and may beoperable to simultaneously travel towards and away from each other inthe opposed cylinders to compress the fluids in the regions denoted484,485' and 16a as the other valve, inlet and exhaust means operates asdescribed in the specification. The respective pistons may be driventowards each other by respective explosions or shock waves generatedsimultaneously in the volumes between the far ends of each piston andthe closed far ends of the cylindrical chambers 483 and 487. Sparkdischarge electrode means or means for directing pulsed intense laserlight beams and directing same through small openings or windowsdisposed at the ends of chambers 483 and 487 may be employed to effectthe generation of intense light beams and shock waves in the far ends ofthe cylinders timed to effect the simultaneous driving of said pistonstowards each other.

In the embodiment employing a circular or otherwise shaped closed loopreaction chamber for guiding one or more pistons repeatedly in anendless path therethrough, chemical reactions and gas compression may beeffected by one or more of the following arrangements:

(a) A single free piston may be accelerated to a high speed in saidendless path chamber by the timed spark or laser beam activation ofexplosions or shock waves per se which may also be generated in responseto signals generated by a means for sensing the location of the pistonas it traavels past the sensing means. The sensing means may comprise aphotoelectric cell scanning across the chamber and detecting thepresence of the piston, a magnetic transducer and suitable detectioncircuit, capacitance relay or other means operable to generate a controlsignal each time the piston is sensed which signal is applied toactivate a relay controlling the discharge of one or more sparks acrosselectrodes disposed as disclosd herein or to pulse one or more lasersgenerating pulsed intense light beams and directing same throughopenings in the chamber walls or windows therein for generating shockwaves in the circular chamber or igniting explosive chemicals ingaseous, vaporous or particulate form which is injected into the chambereither continuously or in response to the same control signal isgenerated. One or more of the valves described herein may beautomatically operated in the wall of the torroidal chamber or asubchamber thereof to admit and remove fluid products therefrom eitherat a predetermined point in each piston travel cycle or after apredetermined number of cycles or times the piston travels around thecircuit. The piston may be pulsed by shock valves or explosionsgenerated in the torroidal chamber as described to accelerate same to ahigh working speed or may be made to accelerate and decelerate duringeach cycle or number of circuits travelled and its action of compressingand expanding the fluid(s) in the chamber per se and in synchronizedrelationship to the generation of explosions and/or shock waves ahead ofand/or behind the piston as it travels may be utilized to chemicalreactions and changes in matter disposed in the closed circuit chamber.

(b) A single or multiple pistons may be driven in an endless circular orotherwise shaped circuit in an endless chamber by the spark, laserand/or explosion means described above wherein compression of the gasahead of the piston is effected by means of a valve such as the rotatingvalve of FIGS. 7 and 8 which operates in synchronization with the travelof the piston stopping flow of the gas ahead of the piston permitting itto be compressed by the piston yet permits the piston to passtherethrough. Explosion or shock waves generated behind the piston as itpasses one or more locations in the endless chamber by the laser orspark generating means described above may be used to drive the pistoncontinuously in said endless path and may be timed in its operation orcontrolled by the described means for detecting the location of thepiston which generates a control signal for activating the sparkdischarge or laser beam generating means. Fluid inlest and exhaust meansas described above may be disposed at one or more locations about theendless chamber.

(c) Multiple pistons such as two, three or more pistons spaced apartfrom each other, may be disposed in an endless track circular torroidalor otherwise chaped chamber having one or more inlets and one or moreexhaust ports for working and/or reaction fluids and one or more sparkdischarge means and/or windows, valve or small openings in the wallsthereof for admitting one or more intense laser, electron or molecularbeams for generating shock waves or explosions in the chamber insynchronized timing with respect to each piston to drive same in a givendirection for accelerating and compressing gas ahead of the piston toserve either as a chemical reaction apparatus and/or as a gascompressing means to provide hot gas for processes or performing work.As an explosion or shock wave is generated immediately behind eachpiston as it passes one or more points in the endless combustionchamber, it causes a reaction on the rear face of the pistonaccelerating same towards the piston ahead of it and compressing gas inthe volume therebetween. Expansion may also occur in the volume orvolumes between pistons which are moving apart. Shock wave or explosiontiming, the admission of fluid and removal or reaction products from thechamber may be effected as described above by signal generated indetecting the presence or passage of each piston controlling the meansgenerating the described spark and/or laser beam generating means, andthe valve means described for admitting and removing fluid from thechamber. Inlet and exhaust ports disposed through the chamber walls mayalso be opened and closed by the pistons passing same or by the pistonsreacting on levers in the chamber as they pass whic actuate the valveopening means.

(d) Two or more free pistons may be operative to oscillate back andforth along predetermined portions of an endless, torroidal or partiallytorroidal chamber by the synchronized or timed injection of fluids andtheir explosion or shock waves generated therein as described tocompress and expand gas between the pistons and/or the pistons and endwalls of the chamber. If two pistons are employed, the shock waves orexplosions may be generated to simultaneously move the pistons apart ortowards each other in said circular path so that they may simultaneouslycompress and expand fluid therebetween. Timing or operation of the shackwave or explosion generating means and the means injecting and removingfluid from the chamber may be effected by the means described above.Four or more pistons may also be provided, each oscillating in aparticular portion of the endless chamber and each pair serving tocompress and expand fluid during either or both strokes thereof.

(e) Rocket propulsion means may be used to accelerate a piston of thetype described above or one used in any type of internal combustionengine or compressor as follows. The piston is hollow and has a chambertherein terminating at one end of the piston with one or more rockettype nozzles. Explosive fluid such as a gas or gasoline or other vaporor particles, is injected through an opening in the piston such as oneor more holes in the side wall of the piston as the piston passes aninlet port and injector in the sidewall of the cylinder in which ittravels. Thereafter or simultaneously with the injection of explosivefluid into the piston chamber, an intense laser beam is pulsed throughthe same opening in the cylinder wall or another opening therein andoperates to explode the fluid injected into the piston interior or heatsthe fluid therein such as to cause said fluid to be rapidly dischargedthrough the nozzle opening in the rear face of the piston creatingthrust on the piston and causing it to accelerate in the direction ofthe thrust driving the piston in its travel which may be reciprocatingor endless as described herein.

(f) One or more shock tubes of the types described above may betangentially connected to a torroidally shaped or otherwise shapedendless path reaction chamber and operated to pass shock waves therefromin the same or opposite directions into the endless path for eitheramplifying shock waves therein as they travel the endless path orcompressing matter between opposite travelling shock waves as describedabove. The ends of the tangentially mounted shock tubes may be opened tothe torroidal volume at all times or may have automatically operatedvalves of the types shown in FIGS. 7 to 14 disposed therein for closingthe inlet ports after the passage of the shock waves. The shock wavesmay be generated in synchronization with the movement of shock wavesthrough the endless path and the admission and removal of matter fromthe reaction chamber as described above by means detecting the shockwaves as they pass one or more selected portions of the chamber.Similarly, piston means as described may be driven along said endlesspath by shock waves or explosions initiated by intense light beamspulsed into the chamber through valves, small openings or windows in thewall of the torroidal chamber.

(g) In another form of the invention, the gas disposed in the straightor endless chambers described above may comprise a plasma which iscontrollably drivable by properly directed and varied magnetic fieldsgenerated by superconducting magnets disposed about the describedchamber walls and operable to move or manipulate plasma in the chamberin a manner to intermittently compress and heat the fluid therein forchanging its characteristics, creating thermonuclear reactions orgenerating and supplying a hot plasma for machinery for generatingelectrical energy or otherwise using same. For example, suitablesuperconducting electrical coils may be disposed about the chambersdescribed above for generating electrical energy as the plasma particlesare driven about the chamber by the means described.

(h) The torroidal reaction chambers or straight shock tubes describedabove may be used for generating thermonuclear reactions by injectingpellets of frozen tritium and deuterium into the chamber insynchronization with the generation of shock waves or intense pulses oflight energy and their travel in the chamber, whereby the shock wavesand/or laser beams operate to heat said particles sufficiently to effecta fusion reaction. For example, the particle or particles may be carriedon a gas stream or may be ejected from a carrier therefore bycentrifugal, magnetic, electro-static or other force through a valve ofthe types described into the described chambers to be reacted on by oneor more shock waves and/or laser beams so as to be heated to releaseneutrons or thermonuclearly exploded to generate heat which istransferred to fluid in the chamber and flowed therefrom through a valveor opening therein.

I claim:
 1. A method for creating a chemical reactioncomprising:subjecting a quantity of a chemical to the heat and pressureof a plurality of shock waves, each of which shock waves define atransient, narrow band of intense radiation and directing each of saidshock waves and the intense radiation thereof through a shock waveconducting medium to a reaction zone containing said chemical wherebysaid shock waves serve to temporarily raise the temperature of thechemical in the reaction zone a sufficient degree to effect apredetermined change in the composition of said chemical, and when saidpredetermined change occurs, removing the products of reaction from saidreaction zone.
 2. A method in accordance with claim 1 includinggenerating a plurality of shock waves and directing said plurality ofshock waves into said reaction zone along substantially the same path tosuccessively and intermittently intersect, heat and react on saidchemical for an extended period of time.
 3. A method in accordance withclaim 1 including simultaneously directing said plurality of shock wavesalong different paths wherein said chemical is simultaneously subjectedto said plurality of shock waves directed along said different paths. 4.A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein multiple shock waves aregenerated and directed along each of said plurality of paths and saidchemical is subjected to a plurality of said shock waves directed alongeach of said different paths.
 5. A method in accordance with claim 1wherein a plurality of shock waves are simultaneously generated anddirected along each of respective of a plurality of different pathswhich intersect in said reaction zone.
 6. A method in accordance withclaim 1 wherein said chemical is a solid particulate material, furtherincluding disposing the particles thereof in a fluid and subjecting saidfluid to said shock waves.
 7. A method in accordance with claim 6wherein said said chemical comprises a plurality of particles which arecompressed and heated by said shock wave.
 8. A method in accordance withclaim 1 wherein said chemical is a fluid disposed in a working region ofa reaction chamber and said shock waves are directed to converge on saidfluid in said working region.
 9. A method in accordance with claim 1wherein said shock wave is generated by discharging an electric arcacross electrodes disposed in the medium in which said shock wave isgenerated.
 10. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein saidelectrodes are disposed in a fluid in which said chemical is contained.11. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said chemical isdisposed within a cavity formed in solid material and the shock wave isgenerated and directed along a path whereby it enters said cavity andcompresses said chemical against the walls of said cavity.
 12. A methodin accordance with claim 11 wherein said cavity has inwardly taperedwalls to cause the shock wave directed therein to converge on saidmatter disposed therein.
 13. A method in accordance with claim 1 whereinsaid chemical is a liquid held in a container and said shock wave isdirected into said container and against said liquid therein to react onsaid liquid by heating and compressing same.
 14. A method in accordancewith claim 13 wherein said chemical is in movement through saidcontainer as it is reacted on by said shock wave.
 15. A method inaccordance with claim 1 wherein amplification of the shock wavegenerated is effected.
 16. A method for reacting on mattercomprising:generating a plurality of shock waves at a fixed frequencyand tandemly directing said plurality of shock waves in sequence along apredetermined path to cause said shock waves to intersect matter in areaction zone of a reaction chamber into which chamber said shock wavesare caused to travel and, as said shock waves are intermittentlygenerated and directed along said predetermined path, predeterminatelyflowing matter to be reacted on into and out of said reaction zone in amanner to present different quantities of said matter to the intenseheat of said shock waves.